Usually in these articles, the writer is answering questions asked by the general public. However, I just have so many questions about what is wrong with this world today that I had to refer to a friend for some answers. In the light of recent events, such as the shooting in Orlando, I grew very curious as to what makes people so hateful and how much of the world's hate seems to be pointed at a certain community or race. It seems as if we aren't OK with people who are "different" or we that can't see them for the humans that they are. It's almost as if there is a wall between us.
I want to know where the thought of hate taking over the "greater" power of love in everyday life came from. When you backtrack in your life, you go back to being a kid. Kids are naturally innocent. They see every life as just that, a life that matters. They don't know what "gay" is or that the color of your skin makes you any different from them. So, where does it come from? In talking with my friend, Drew Crawford, I asked if maybe this was a parenting problem. He agreed and we chatted for a while about how parents are very quick to correct their children if they say something rude to another human being. Let's face it, kids are brutally honest. They tell the truth no matter what because they don't realize that sometimes the truth can hurt. However, as fast as the parents are about smacking their kids' hands for being rude, they seem to be just as fast when they turn around and make a gay or racial slurs to another human. Now, obviously this does not apply to all parents, so don't be so quick to get offended while reading this. Most (although it should be all) parents want what is best for their kids. We know that they aren't teaching their kids to be mean to certain groups for no reason, so how does it turn out that way? When does it start to get that way?
I had a good childhood. I had friends from sports, school, choir, and so much more. It's not like that for every kid, though. When Drew was growing up, he wasn't fully aware that he was gay. He saw the signs as time went on, but he really only got an understanding of what "gay" was when he started watching "Will and Grace," a popular TV show. He didn't officially come out until many years into the future, but, in the mean time, he got picked on before he even came out. He was called "Fag," "Gay," and other slurs. Now, we talked about how words are just words until you put meaning behind it. So, being a kid, you may not take offense to these words right away. However, eventually, once you fully understand them, they may drag you down. I feel as if kids and teens throw these words around so loosely and carelessly these days, with zero cares as to who they may be hurting. Many kids are scared to come out because of peers, bullies, and even their families. I asked Drew if he would have never came out, would he feel like people would know or think that he was gay today? He answered, "It's hard to answer. I would have been dead." You see, you can be alive and not be living. So many people go into a depression because of not being able to truly live. If they do live, they live in fear. I can't imagine having to hide such a big part of my life because I was scared for my life. However, once again, I want to know how did it turn out this way?
Through much discussion, laughing, head shaking, and eye rubbing, there was one big underlying cause: religion. Now, I believe in God and, just like everyone else, I want to go to heaven. Contrary to common belief, "Religion is not easy, people want to make it easy," Drew said. I'm not the most religious person who you'll meet. I don't go to church every Sunday or anything like that, so I had a lot of questions in regards to this. Like, if it's wrong to love the same sex, why do we have to be mean about it instead of minding our own business? It was best described as being a sympathizer to a sin. Therefore, you are also committing a sin. So, instead of "loving all," we are suddenly suppose to drop what's "right and wrong" and do wrong because now it's right? You lost me. So, overall, it's the unseen battle between good and evil. Everyone will have a different opinion as to who is on what side, but while we are afraid of sinning and going to hell, we are making these humans' lives a living hell. They are scared to walk around holding their loved ones' hands. They are cussed at or even physically or mentally abused. Then, their safe place was attacked and it left a body count of 50, making a subconscious fear of theirs very real. That doesn't sound like heaven to me and it sure doesn't sound right to me.
We spend so much time being judgmental towards people because we don't understand them. However, news flash, you will never fully understand someone. Every single human being is different and sees things differently. That doesn't mean that you have to put a wall in between the two. Instead, put in a window. Try to understand them and, even if you don't agree and don't understand where they are coming from, accept it and move on. See them for who they are. After all, they see you for who you are. Even if they can't understand you, they see you through a window. "We are your family, your friends, your co-workers, your doctors, your nurses, your policemen, your neighbors. Treat us with the same respect we treat you with," Drew said. We are all in this together, people. The sooner that you realize that, the better. Again, you don't have to agree with it, but this isn't survival of the fittest. Open up and see everyone for who they are: humans.