I would like to define the word distance but firstly, you should know that Distance has many definitions, pending on the context being used.
In this case, I would pick the definition which defines it as "the length of the space between two points". Picking some major words there, 'space between two points' but taking this to the social life that involves man, this would be 'space between two persons'. Taking a good look at this, the 'space' there isn't physical but psychological.
Taking this from the angle of the phrase 'it is a man's world'. This has made so many ladies to look down on themselves, to feel inferior and also to feel like they are not up to the World's standards. Having this phrase in mind, it creates a psychological distance, a psychological barrier between men and women. I give you an example, in a family where the wife has not given her husband a male child, the husband tends to maltreat her or rather always threaten her of getting another wife. And where does it say that a female child isn't a blessing. Another example, in a family where the husband has two or maybe three wives, the one with the male child tends to be given more attention and care even though she has just that male child. All these, creates distance in the family even among the children. And as the children come of age, the same cycle is being repeated.
This topic also covers an aspect of favoritism. For example, in an organization where the head is related to any of the workers, more help tends to reach out to the department where the leader's relation is. This action make other workers feel less of good in whatever they are doing. This is because no matter what they do, they are hardly being appreciated.
This is where envy comes in, and hate begins to grow, which is very bad for an organization because it leads to the downfall of that organization. As simple as it may look, a little favoritism led to a little distance between the workers and straight to the company's downfall.
Another subtopic on this, tribalism. This is a major aspect of this topic because it had led to many crisis than creating peace in the society. This is seen in the workplace, school ( where the president provides all that his or her tribe needs when in power) etc.
This had created so many barriers than what one can even imagine. Most of the crisis in Nigeria occurred as a result of tribe dispute, where one tribes feel that they are not being treated well. For example the IPOB ( Indigenous People of Biafra) who want their own country. This had led to a one time great crisis in the history of Nigeria, which till date, it is being discussed in the news.
Then the aspect of religion. This is no longer a news to the ears of the citizens of this great nation. This had gone long way into the minds of people. Where a person goes to apply for a job and is being asked which religion does he or she belongs to. This brings up the issue of domination, where the head of an organization would want all his or her workers to be of the same religion, not minding if the workers being employed are good or not.
A psychological distance being created which always lead to a physical distancing.
The 'distance between us' is the ignored discrimination that occurs everyday in the life and day-to-day activities of the citizens of this nation, from the upper level to the lower level.
I want all my people to know that changes can come but is starts individually, change your personal thoughts and it will change the situation of the nation.
Good one