Ignorance, a true lack of knowledge and understanding, is the root of much of the fear and hate in the world. People are often afraid of what they don't understand.
One way to overcome this is by making a real effort to learn from one another.
A video from Channel 4 that first went viral on Facebook, and again more recently on Twitter, demonstrated this perfectly.
The video is part of a promotional campaign for Channel 4's series How The Other Kids Live.
The series puts kids from vastly different backgrounds together for play dates so that they can learn about each others' families and cultures.
The viral video features Yasmin, a Muslim girl, and Brendan, a Catholic boy, as they learn about the differences and similarities in their religions and the way their families live.
One interaction between the two really stands out. While Brendan is visiting Yasmin's house, Yasmin says that she is Muslim and, after a second, Brendan asks "What's a Muslim?"
Yasmin responds:
"When you celebrate the same stuff but in a different way."
While Brendan spends time with Yasmin and her family, he learns a lot about their way of life.
He sees her family pray, and gets to ask questions. It is these kind of questions, asked from a place of innocent curiosity, that allow children to learn and accept others
His questions aren't eloquent, but Brendan is making a real effort to learn and understand. Encouraging this kind of free exchange of knowledge and information is the idea behind the series.
Another clip shows Yasmin answering more of Brendan's questions.
Twitter thought the two kids were adorable, and inspiring.
They also loved Brendan's curiosity.
There were a few shoutouts to Brendan's mom for the gentle correction too.
Kids don't have to be eloquent or understand all of the nuances of a discussion right away—that comes after they understand the basics.
As it turns out, the kids really are all right.
