Our country is currently torn between cultures, ethnicities and generations of thought. The recent protests in Ferguson, Mo., and across the country illustrate how quickly violence and devastation can erupt between separated groups.

These differences of ignorance and of civil rights are ripping our nation apart but the world has proven that we are at least watching – and might even care.

The Ferguson protests nationwide, from Seattle to New York and worldwide in London prove it. There were even protests in Geneva, where the UN’s committee against torture has the U.S.’s police brutality investigations under review.

Our world will only heal when this fear and distrust starts to disintegrate. There are many cultural and ethnic barriers that disrupt the communication process. Misunderstanding the other side is completely normal. A smoother interaction with ‘the other’ is having to readjust one’s own points of view.

To communicate effectively, judgments and biases have to be dropped. The single most important concept is that your view of the world is not universally shared by everyone else. Culture is not only what we see but also the way we see it.

I ask us to look past our differences, past the narratives, past the stereotypes and learn from each other not only across the nation but across our globe. Changes can be made for a better world and country that will not be separated by deep seated divisions of fear and misunderstanding. It’s easy to hate what you do not understand.

Hope is on the horizon for stereotypes to be broken between ethnicities, cultures and religions and for the world to believe in these changes.

The now famous picture of a police officer hugging 12-year-old Devonte Hart, who was holding a “Free Hugs” sign in a Portland protest, was shared over 150,000 times on Facebook within hours of it being released.

This image is what the people need to believe in – not the images of burning cars and guns but an image of love, hope and encouragement.

Pope Francis visited Istanbul, Turkey, last Saturday. He prayed with the Grand Mufti Rahmi Yaran in a 17^th century Sultan Ahmet mosque. Yaran said he hoped the visit would “contribute to the world getting along and living in peace.”

I do, too. Whether we are black or white, or Catholic or Muslim, we can build a world together and not only simply coexist but live and learn from one another. Catholicism and Islam couldn’t be farther apart but these leaders set their differences aside because world peace is a bigger issue for them.

I believe it’s an important first step to promoting global unity and between Christians and Muslims and a great example for us to follow.

We can drop stereotypes and accept one another. The time is now for the future. I hope for a humane and integrated world that challenges the status quo and starts turning barriers into bridges.