So what exactly is it that makes us, allows us, to hate others? Is it their skin color? The name of their god? Their ethnic differences? The very air they breathe? Sometimes, no, often times, I wonder why it is exactly that we hate so very much, that words and deeds of hatred are encouraged and valued? What makes us hate?
Today is one of the opening days of a new Holocaust Documentation & Education Center here in south Florida, in Dania Beach. There is to be a lecture and then a tour of the current exhibit, on loan from the National Museum. This hatred is memorialized in so many ways, in buildings, in the remains of the death camps, in markers on buildings and even in the sidewalks. It is seen in the fading numbers on the arms of the ever lessening group of survivors and in the tattoos of these numbers by their grandchildren, honoring their grandparents and great grandparents. It is alive in the filmed stories of the survivors.
And yet, what does it all mean? Has it helped hatred go away? Has hate been devalued? I think not and in fact, the hatred of the times of today is more frightening than ever. One asked why did the Jews of Germany not leave when they saw what was happening, worsening? Well, why do the Jews of America not leave as the incidents of anti Semitism, including violence, grow apace? It is hard to leave one's home, to realize that there are some who think of you as different to a degree that is beyond all terms of acceptance. It is hard to leave - to go where? For neither then nor now are there lands, countries which would open their doors to refugee Jews, for they hate the Jews within their own country!
So what was the first incident of hate killing? Was it the first Neanderthal - Homo sapien meeting and they rushed each other with raised stone axes? Or did it take a bit longer, until mankind could and would fight over the name of their god, over land indistinguishable from another section of land? And how have we allowed it to last so long and worse, allowed it to bloom once more in our own times.
The papers, the media, are filled with stories of hate, filled with incidents of loss of humanity, of tossing kids on fires because they are of another religion, or another tribe, or even another political belief! The hatred here within our own country between Republicans and Democrats has gone beyond the pale and we do not even hear each other anymore as Americans!
And as far as the world is concerned, the hatred of others is growing apace, encouraged by politicians hungry for power. So they cater to their worst instincts, call upon those same instincts in others and come into power and get even worse, more violent, stomp in contempt on the very democracy that allowed them to rise in power and position. Most frightening of all is the very open fact that we here in America, the very beacon of liberty and democracy, of equality, is turning quickly into the copy of Europe.
We have a demented man as president who thinks that we , too, should just kill all the drug dealers - summarily! No due process. We should, no due process, take away all weapons from those we deem mentally ill. Who makes that determination and where is due process? They scream about the Second Amendment, well, due process is also enshrined in the Constitution. We should just kill, wipe out all those we feel are gang members, toss them out like human trash. "grabbed them by the neck and they threw them in the paddy. We're cleaning out. We're doing it." And who will go in the paddy next? Hatred does not stop. Never ever!!!And not to forget those who have a "low IQ" (Maxine Waters) according to that hate filled man, Trump who himself is of low IQ, certainly in intelligence, in humanity, in justice, in anything positive.
There are idiots in our own country who know not what they wish for. Trump stands there talking of his admiration for XI who wants to be President for Life and thank the Lord is facing some vocal opposition for this plan, but Trump wants it here, thinks it might be a good idea here and the idiots at a hate filled rally stand there and cheer!!! Yes, just take away our freedom. Take away our democracy. Take away our votes. Yes, you orange haired mutant, destroy us all!!
John Lennon sang "Imagine", as we swayed thinking, wishing for a time when people lived for today, no religion, no countries. But is that exactly what we wish for. Be careful for we all know the saying. A bunch of people who cannot look beyond their noses? Cannot see past the need to satisfy whatever itch it is that they have? No planning for a better world, a safer world, a cleaner world? No attention paid to the higher needs of mankind? Not for me.
So what makes hatred? Differences? That should not make a difference. Horrific treatment of others? Perhaps, but then again, not if we turn around and do it ourselves if we are the victors. Religion? As long as that religion does not glorify violence and subjugation of others, why should we care if the name is different, if the manners of worship are different? Why? Skin color? Really? Organs can be transplanted from one race to another. The blood is the same color and serves the same purpose. Our bodies are built the same way. What does the skin say about someone? No clue. None at all.
People can be inherently good or bad but that is the choice they make. It should not be the choice foisted upon them. It should not cause us to commit genocide, ethnic cleansing, or turn blind and brutal eyes to a crime against humanity.
What makes hatred? Wish I knew for then, perhaps, we could eradicate it.
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