When Did Hate Come Out To Play?
July 2nd, 2009
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Hatred (or hate) is a word that describes the intense feelings of dislike of something or someone. For example, one can have a hatred of inanimate objects (e.g. vegetables, bicycles, tables, chairs, etc…) to hatred of other people, and/o entire groups of people.
I’m saddened almost daily by the level of hatred in America; forget about the rest of the world because this is a horrible problem we have right here at home. I don’t necessarily think it (hate) is at an all-time high, but rather it is being overtly displayed more and more. You probably encounter some level of hatred everyday, but you’ve gotten so used to it, therefore, ignoring it for the most part.
Why should I have to deal with blatant hatred?
That is a question we all need to ask ourselves as well as look into the mirror to see if we are one of the many who could be increasing the negative atmosphere.
People Simply Hate Obama
There are many people who hate our president. The sentiments go from being scared of what his policies are doing to our country, to wishing he fails and ultimately, getting killed while in office. Political parties have, and will probably always have, an impact on how people feel about the government. Some people will simply go along with whatever their party believes – something I think lacks individual thinking and decision making. I can understand why someone would be against President Obama because the Democratic way isn’t to their liking and that is where my understanding stops!
I have this feeling that many people don’t like President Obama because he is a black man.
In response to a resolution apologizing for slavery, someone commented saying, “The ni.ggers in the whitehouse. Whatelse do they want?” That is such a short sentence, but it reveals some deep-seated racial hatred to have the nerve to say that in a public forum. Obviously, this person associates the word “nigger” with a black man, more specifically, the President of the United States. Also, he/she feels as though President Obama’s election should mean “they” (Black people in general) don’t need anything else. That is dripping with hate.
I’m not a Republican and I, too, don’t agree with everything President Obama has done. So where do I fit in? I would like to think I fit in as someone who can think independently and judge people on what they do rather than who they are or the color of their skin. Truthfully, I think idiots come in all races, sizes, nationalities, etc. Speaking of idiots…
I am absolutly dumfounded when people have such outspoken and strong feelings about President Obama as if he turned the country upside down as soon as he took office in January. My amazement continues when some of those same people skip over the eight years George Bush Jr. was in office and also try to blame Bill Clinton for the current issues. It’s like these people have selective amnesia as it relates to the 8 years in between.
As of April, 4, 2002 American soldiers have died in Iraq, but former president George Bush Jr. is kicked back in his Texas mansion. Since we went there on false pretenses, or a big fat lie, why can’t Bush be charged with 4,262 counts of murder? Although that may be extreme, I don’t think it is as extreme to think one man has destroyed our way of life from January 20, 2009 to the present, July 2, 2009. That is just silly. He’s only been in office less than six months! Even sillier, if President Obama did exactly what Bush did for the last eight years, many people (mostly Republicans) would still feel the same way.
Not So Heavy, But Still Filled With Hate
Why do people have so much disdain for Barry Bonds, but don’t feel the same way about Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, etc.? All of them have admitted using or have been accused of using steroids. Although I am referencing baseball players, drug use – recreational and performance enhancing – and crime, are rampant in virtually every sport. How does someone come to the conclusion of hating one athlete, but not feeling the same about others? Barry Bonds, who has never admitted to using steroids, but has been accused of using the drug, has hit more home runs than anyone in history and many people would like to have his record erased. But Rodriguez, who readily admits to using steroids during his career, could very well break Bonds’ record. However, noone seems to be calling for his record to be erased. Why is that? Does it have to do with race?
Hate is often driven by envy or by someone who goes against the grain and that is what this baseball example shows. Barry Bonds doesn’t like the media and in turn the media trashed him every chance they got. Since people amazingly believe everything the media prints or talks about, many people have adopted the same feeling towards Bonds. I have personally met Bonds and he was nice to me. Should I jump on the bandwagon and believe the media or should I judge the man on how he treated me?
I’m not sure what happened between Michael Jackson and the various children he was connected with, but a court of law didn’t find him guilty of molestation. But some people are doing their best to drag him through the mud before he is even in his grave. Others have made comments like, “Michael Jackson can’t hold a candle to Elvis.” Please! Can the man rest in peace?
It Will Probably Never End
We could probably talk about different examples of hate until we are blue in the face and it will never end. This isn’t relegated to national politics, sports or the entertainment world. Hatred like this happens in our local neighborhoods, jobs, clubs, schools, stores, restaurants and churches. Since there is about a zero chance of it being eradicated totally, we can at least be mindful of others.
I have had a recent experience where I needed to show tolerance for someone who isn’t like me. I charged down one path and did not encounter the attitude I was expecting, which really blew me away. Without going into detail, I told my wife that I may have to reach out to this person because now I know where their heart is and I could be of help. Eventually, it will make me feel better because it will take far too much energy for me to show hate.
Hate is an energy draining emotion and is taking far too much time on the Internet, TV and other news media. We should have something better to do.
