We are separated by labels… when we hear one of these words (labels), it evokes an image and we immediately feel alienated from the other group. We’ve setup many habitual ways of thinking that separate us from each other and we make each other suffer. People are caught in these notions and images, and they cannot recognize each other as human being.

Injustice is suffered by both sides in any dispute. Once understanding and compassion are born in our heart, the poisons of anger, violence, hatred, and despair will be transformed.

The only solution is to get the poisons out and to get the insight and the compassion in! Then we will discover each other as human beings, not allowing ourselves to be deceived by the outer layers, by names.

This is a process of liberation… when we can see each other as human beings with our own suffering… we'll work together for the chance to live peacefully.

— Thich Nhat Hanh on labels & peace