Hatred and Tolerance

You can’t click on the television without hearing news that is certain to make your stomach turn. You can overhear these same topics being discussed in the workplace, church and even amongst neighbors. Everyone argues that politics are playing a huge role in the occurrences of today. At the root of all of these issues-whether statements being made or actions taken- is one thing and one thing only, HATE! 

Now, I do believe that we can make an environment more conducive to certain things and today’s environment is definitely pushing people to feel comfortable in displaying their ignorance proudly. But to say that there has been a huge change in modern times is an overstatement. 

Hate is at the root of world history. People have always been hated or discriminated against due to their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or politics. Having watched the news about the New Zealand terror attack, I couldn’t help but think about how hate is continuing to determine the narrative. 

I’m a firm believer that hate is something that is taught. We are not born with ill will towards one another. We learn how to interact with each other through what we see and experiences we have. That’s why we see children of different races, having the natural inclination to play with one another. They don’t begin to think of doing otherwise until someone shows them that it shouldn’t be done. 

All of the occurrences, as of late, has me wishing that I could put my sons in a little bubble so they are unaffected. However, I know that’s not reality. They will be affected by the things my husband and I say or do, as well as the things they hear outside of our home. If only tolerance can be taught more than hate, we would be doing ok for ourselves. 

My husband and I have our own beliefs but that doesn’t make us feel that others that don’t think like us should be ostracized. Just because I’m a Christian and someone else is a Muslim, does that make me better than they are? Why can’t we all agree to disagree? I don’t have to like who you’re dating, but I feel respect is something everyone deserves. 

The fact that we use our beliefs to further justify the reason we can’t be tolerant is beyond me. I love God with all my heart! As a Christian, I can’t say that someone else is going to hell for not thinking like me. If we are supposed to be striving to be more like Christ, I truly don’t believe he would be down here yelling, “Burn em’ all! To hell with them! Christians are of the superior faith!” I mean, can you picture that? My thoughts are, if I’m trying to pull you over to my side, yelling, screaming and calling you out of your name surely won’t do it. 

We are teaching our sons to be respectful of everyone’s beliefs and preferences. There is so much we can learn from each other just by having meaningful conversations. What makes you feel the way that you feel? What experiences have you had that have made you who you are? These are all things that we could find out by simply listening to understand and not to respond. Also, realizing that being sympathetic to another’s thoughts doesn’t lessen who you are at the core. 

There’s definitely a thin line between tolerance of one’s beliefs and the acceptance of bigotry. Don’t think you can call me the n-word and I’ll understand. I’m somewhere between praying for you and letting you have it, as a work in progress, I’d more than likely end up with a mug shot! 

However, everything in life doesn’t have to be an argument or an “us vs. them.” The problem has always stemmed from this mentality. As the individuals that are raising the future, we have to guide our children to stray from this mindset. It’s a hard task as the world is consumed with bias, injustice and narrow-mindedness. 

If we aren’t sure to set the tone, then the future is definitely doomed and the cycle will continue to repeat itself. I’m urging everyone to make sure we are sowing the right seeds into our kids. Let’s teach them compassion, endurance, steadfastness and love. Love regardless of religion, love regardless of sexual preference, love regardless of race, love regardless of politics and love regardless of gender. Let’s teach them to be open to dialogue; open to coming to the table, not to push the things they are passionate about to the side, but to come to an understanding as to what will be best for everyone moving forward. 

Here are a few quotes I’d like you to think about as you have dialogue with your families about tolerance and today’s environment. 

“Religion is like a pair of shoes...Find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear your shoes.” -George Carlin

“It’s a universal law—intolerance is the first sign of an inadequate education. An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant impatience, whereas truly profound education breeds humility.” -Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn 

“Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.” -George Washington Carver 

“The highest result of education is tolerance.” -Helen Keller

“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.”-Joseph Fort Newton

“Don’t be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn’t do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today.” -Malcolm X

“Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda. Our mission, therefore, is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with outstretched hand of generosity. Racism can, will and must be defeated.” -Kofi Annan

“In order to have faith in his own path, he does not need to prove that someone else’s path is wrong.” -Paulo Coelho

What are your thoughts on tolerance and hatred? 

Until next time Kuties!