This isn’t what I planned to post today. But then again, how can you schedule a post about the proliferation of hate and carnage wrought by it? You can’t. Good people, like me (and I pray you too), don’t expect a week like the past one, where 13 people are dead simply for being black or Jewish (with many more deaths had those pipe bombs detonated). We’re not naive or Pollyannas but we believe in the goodness of people because we are good. We also expect when hate rears its ugly head for it to be an aberration and to be denounced by ALL. Not defended or even celebrated by those in power. Those who should know better. Those who do know better but spread lies or stay silent because … WHY?
Like it or not, your silence makes you complicit to hate run amok. You don’t have to talk about it on your blog or rant on Twitter (or any social media platform) because it’s your choice as to where you want to make your voice heard, but you do need to speak up in some form (it’s called voting!). And if you’re a Republican appalled to see fellow Republicans cheering and inciting hateful vitriol, then your voice is more important than ever.
I believe this to be 110% true. You do not have to march in a parade or knock on doors or shout the loudest, but you can’t put your head in the sand because it doesn’t affect you either. What’s happening in America affects all of us. Those spreading hate and encouraging violence will continue as long as good people stay quiet. Get loud by voting!
We Are ONE Race: The Human Race
We’ve become so fractured and spiteful. I believe firmly that regardless of your political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, gender or religious beliefs, we are ONE race. We are human beings, first and foremost, and ALWAYS. We are united in our desire to be free, to live our dreams, to make a difference, to be seen, to create a great lives for ourselves.
Every single person in the world loves, grieves, hates, laughs, cries, worries, dreams, fears, gives, doubts, cares and celebrates. We are one race; bound by our collective desire to live happy, fulfilling lives, yet we look for differences instead of celebrating our commonality to create division. Rank. Discord.
Genuine Suffering Exists but Hate isn’t the Answer
I understand there are many people hurting and suffering right now. It is not my intent to undermine your legitimate fears because you’re struggling to survive and feel the American Dream is no longer obtainable. But using race, religion, sexual orientation or immigrants as your scapegoats will not bring you closer to the American Dream but further away. They are not your enemy. In fact, those who blame oppressed groups, like immigrants, often use them to hide their own culpability for our current situation or to profit from your fear. Problems do exist but hate will not solve them, working together is what will.
I Still Believe in Goodness
Yes, it’s hard after last week but I also witnessed an outpouring of love too. Of good people, standing up and saying enough. We’re are broken right now, but broken things can be fixed too. I’m willing to put the hard work to fix us because I believe in good people, in freedom, in democracy, in hope, in the power of voting. Most of all, I believe love trumps hate.
Spread a little kindness and understanding this week. Speak with someone you’ve never spoken to before, especially those in marginalized communities (PoC, LBGTQIA, immigrants, non-Christians) and likely different from you. Get to know them and you’ll see Maya was right: We are more alike than we are unalike.
Tanya
A-freaking-men sister! I feel like in some ways we have stepped back several decades in our ability to get along with one another…well, some people. Thank God the majority are tolerant, but those aren’t the ones making the news and killing people.
It’s crazy. It definitely feels like we’re going backwards and it’s scary. It’s frustrating and deeply sad to see people being whipped into a frenzy over lies and racism becoming normal and okay.
Well written as usual my friend.
I’m so fearful of this next week – the closer the election gets – how it may stir up the crazies in more people.
But as always – when tragedy hits, its when you see good prevail as well… just a shame it has to prevail in this light.
We just had a shooter go into a grocery store in Louisville & kill 2 people because they were black. HOW DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? The world is just getting crazier & more out of control. Praying for a safe election day.
I heard about the shooter in Louisville, which is so freaking sad. He tried to get into a black church first. He just wanted to kill black people and hate is getting out of control.
Amen, my friend. Hate is taught and it has no place here. When we remove it from it’s comfortable home- that home of power and privilege and superiority- we piss it off and it fights back. But we’re stronger and smarter and much much much more motivated.
It is most definitely taught and it breaks my heart, thinking of little kids being taught to hate those who like different from them. We are definitely much stronger and smarter and will shine the brightest light possible on hate.
Girl, this past week has been absolutely nuts. It is just so sad. My heart hurts with the weight of it all.
Mine does too, Mackenzie. It hurts so bad right now.