People say, ‘Life is too short to hate’. But today as we look around hate is trying to overshadow love, peace and harmony, may it be between countries, religion or cultures. In the midst of this tug of war there are people who are trying very hard to give peace a chance. They know all five fingers are not the same.

On 27 March 2016, Dave Howlett’s phone lights up with a message that a huge explosion had hit a park in Lahore, Pakistan. The news upset him and to show solidarity with the Pakistanis he changed his display picture on Facebook to Pakistan’s flag and left a message for the victims. He called it a gearshift.

The Nation interviewed Dave to know more about him and his gear shift.

Have you ever visited Pakistan or would you like to visit it sometime?

I have not visited Pakistan but would like to visit it one day. Living in Canada, I have many friends who were born in Pakistan. Others were born in Canada with Pakistani roots. I am fascinated also with the natural beauty of Pakistan and the customs of its people. Additionally, I am a professional speaker who helps break down divisions between groups of people and build bridges. Pakistan seems challenged by these divisions and the reasons have always interested me. 

When was the first time you came to know about Pakistan and its situation?

A news alert came up on my cell phone on Easter Sunday that a terrorist explosion had killed many people in a park in Lahore and that a large percentage of the dead were children enjoying a day with their families.

Pakistan has been going through this situation for a number of years. What compelled you to speak up for Pakistan and its people on this attack?

Part of being an adult human is that we tend to classify the world into groups. And we logically then restrict our empathy for those who belong to our own group. We are also constantly trying to figure out "who are the good people and who are the bad people?"

In Canada, when Pakistan is mentioned in the news, it usually involves something bad: a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. This isn't unique to Pakistan. The media focuses on bad news as they know human brains are hardwired to pay attention to danger. So Pakistan is "full of terrorists", China is "always polluted", Russia is "totally corrupt", the US is "overrun with violence and handguns" and Africa "is always starving." Facebook has actually allowed me to overcome these generalities and discover that Pakistan is full of human beings, just like every other country. Just plain people who want the same things as everyone else, housing, education, safety and nutrition and some enjoyment.

Why did I speak up for Pakistan this time? Why did I change my Facebook profile photo to the Pakistan flag and record a video? I think it was because of the children.

Little children seldom are as tribal as adults. They may be curious about other children who look differently but they just want to play. They are ambassadors of love.

I think that's why many people around the world grieved when it was revealed that small children were murdered. It's why I had a "gearshift" (moved from narrow self-interest towards doing the right thing) and posted what I did.

You said there was a gearshift in your opinion. How exactly did it happen and how would you like to make a difference now?

I am continually trying to get people to stop prejudging people based on their group. And that there are people acting good, and (acting) bad in all groups;and that also each of us possesses both good and bad qualities. I do this with my Real Human Beings group, I lecture to both companies and communities;and I have spoken in a mosque.

Have your friends and family accepted your thoughts or did you face a reaction?

Most of my friends and family have accepted what I teach, though not all. Tribalism can be a very strong factor, especially if it has been taught since birth (like "all Muslims are bad," "all Westerners are immoral," "all Canadians are nice,""all Jews are terrible," "all immigrants are lazy" etc., etc.) I have a friend who was born in Pakistan who told me he was taught by his teachers and holy leaders that all Westerners were immoral and violent people. It wasn't until he moved to England at age 18 that he discovered the real truth: that there are good and bad people wherever you go.

Are you holding any awareness campaigns to promote humanity for people around the globe, who are suffering with terrorism?

Aside from speaking to companies, I have been asked to speak at many events and at Universities on the Real Human Being philosophy (where we usually raise money for a good cause.)  A few years ago I was a guest speaker for a Canadian Pakistani audience to raise money for flood relief in Pakistan and another time for children of Toronto South Asian families with physical and mental disabilities.

I would love to be part of any effort to help bring people together and help us focus on our similarities rather than fight over our differences. To be more like children.