A while back, I wrote a blog on hate. I guess, then, it’s appropriate at this time to do another since some politicals and the media seem to be spreading the hate message even more. Let’s consider:
The building of new mosques in Tennessee and New York.
The planned burning of the Quran on September 11th.
The attack on all things Muslim.
The attack on all things gay.
The attack on all things left-of-center.
The attack on all things right-of-center.
The attack on eggs.
It’s just endless. I guess the positive out of all of this is that eventually, ALL of us will find ourselves in some group that is being targeted to hate. And then, we will be at peace. But until then, let’s examine the origins of all of this.
Part 1: What’s it like to be not liked?
There was this kid who sat behind me in 7th grade homeroom who did not like me. He used to wet his forefinger and middle finger and whack me on the back of the neck with his wet, slimy, skinny digits. I do not know why he did it. I do not know why he did not like me. We had gone to to totally different grade schools--this was our first year in junior high. Why did he want to spoil it for me?
Part 2: Why should we care?
7th grade is such an awkward time. We want to be liked, we want to fit in. To be targeted in such a visible manner made me appear weak and vulnerable. I was not a fighter, in fact, I was a pretty shy kid. I am sure I asked him to stop and I am sure he responded by coating his hands with even more saliva. I did not go to the teacher because I did not want to appear weak and vulnerable and be considered a tattler. So, I suffered in silence until he eventually grew tired of my non-responses. But throughout the entire time he was slapping the back of my neck, I just kept thinking, “All I want is to be liked.”
Part 3: Repercussions
Two students were shot the first day of school in Detroit at Mumford High School. I am not sure if police have discovered a motive, but safe to say, someone had a grudge. And a gun.
Part 4: Prevention
I love the cartoon The Berenstain Bears that appears on PBSKids Sprout network. It’s a family of bears that is presented with a conflict and, by the end of the show, thanks usually in part to the guidance and wisdom of the parents and/or the entire family working together, the crisis is resolved. It speaks a wonderful message.
I was reading a Bears’ book to Maya the other night and the notion of gratitude came up. The idea that even though we may live in a world where some people are spewing out some pretty vile things about others, if we are able to bring the focus down to the micro level and be grateful for each other, the family unit, the fact that we have food and shelter and a car and the ability to go to school--that goes a pretty long way.
And if we are able to be grateful that we can love and accept others with little or no judgement--well, that goes even further.
And if we can do that, then we won’t need to burn Qurans, or trash others whose lifestyles/political convictions do not mesh with our own.
Can’t you just hear the quiet?
