The news in all its forms displays hateful actions. Actions that are horrifying to picture happening to our loved ones and ourselves, yet still actions that continue to occur around us nonetheless. To think that tragedies are taking place over and over again to strangers is terrifying for every person. And to those who survived a nightmare, the toll must be unimaginable. Fear pierces hearts indiscriminately because of the acts of those who discriminate.
I wonder if there will ever be a time where acts of hate cease to exist, but I feel sick admitting to myself that the answer is likely never. As it stands, there are portions of society who feel entitled to hate. Their hate stems from noticing that something about other people is different from themselves, and rather than looking past said difference, the difference causes them discomfort. Somehow this discomfort breeds into a self-righteous entitlement.
The one who is uncomfortable with another need not feel discomfort, though, when the one is also in the majority. When the one is part of the majority, rules may be broken or bent in order to keep the rest of the majority complacent, and this is where tragedies are allowed to occur. They are permitted to occur because some empowered people deem themselves more important than fellow human beings.
Lots of us face the adversity of the majority, and the ways we do it are different. We may sign a petition to increase awareness of a frightfully unfair trial for the victim of rape. We may gather together with pride to march and acknowledge the lives of those who were victims of murderous intent. We may share others’ words on Facebook, show that in spite of all the negativity that goes on around us, there’s still a fight for equality and that we are a part of that. Perhaps for some of us, it’s just carrying within ourselves the knowledge that everybody is different and that difference isn’t something to fear.
No matter what steps we take toward eliminating hate, each part of how we treat each other reflects that, overall, we don’t want to be the ones who are known for treating other people with disregard. Most of us feel tragedies and would gladly give our lives for the sake of a better future. There are many generations to come, and if humanity is to survive into their future, it’s highly important now more than ever to teach love and not hate.
Love your family, love your friends, love the strangers you see in your lives. As a whole, we might do all these things on a regular basis. But it’s the acts we see others take that cause us to, hopefully, love each other a little more. To show that we stand with each other when tragedy takes place, and that difference isn’t something to fear. Instead of fear, we need comfort. We need each other. We need to continue to show compassion for every person, no matter what our beliefs may be. Because in the end, hate doesn’t deserve to win our time and our lives.
Our lives should be for those we love, used to show love, and hopefully to help those who do give their lives to hate to believe that there is something more important than being afraid of difference.
