Hirquitalliency

n. Strength of voice

Today, while studying fervently (yea, right..) I happened upon the History Channel, one of my favorite TV channels. Well there was of course a show on that was far more interesting then studying for my final exams tomorrow. It was on the KKK and Aryan Nation. At first I found it interesting simply because I had learned about these groups in school, but did not know what their current status was, or what the groups current actions and goals were. Two and half hours and not nearly enough studying later, I was completely engrossed in the documentary. The program spanned the history of the groups from their start a hundred years ago to today. I found myself asking the same question again and again...

How can someone be so filled with hate?

There was video of rallies of the groups where hundreds of people were all united for the common goal of eliminating so called "inferior" people from the country and Earth. Again and again, I found myself staring at my arm, trying to understand, how can someone look at their skin and determine that its color makes them better then the next guy who is a different color?

Being the social observer that I am, I started to theorize... Perhaps its their own insecurity that makes them feel they need to be superior to someone, anyone, in order to "live" with their shortcomings. Perhaps, they had a bad experience with the members of these other ethnicities or religions. Or maybe, it all comes down to fear. We fear that which is unfamiliar. But none of these were satisfactory, because any of these feelings can be expanded to every human to walk the Earth, what makes these distinct individuals so hateful?

I realized at this point there was no answer and I would remain frustrated and ignorant of the answer for probably forever. But that's not where my day ended. Later, a friend of mine mentioned via AIM that he was sitting across from a person who was bashing homosexuals. Little did that person know, he was sitting across from one. He too was so filled with hate, that the thought never entered his mind that a person he knew and talked too might just be one of those people he was so thoughtlessly maiming. And not much later after that, I came across another group of people expressing hatred for President Obama.

My question is this, why are we so quick to use the term hate, but so hestiant to use the word love? I find myself just as guilty as anyone "I hate this class," "I hate this professor," etc. How awful that is.I do not hate my professor, I simply am unhappy with how the class is going, or felt unsatisfied with my interaction with them. I vow, to my endless audience of readers to use the term hate only to express my hatred for hate. I will find more constructive ways to describe my displeasure with a situation and will never express such a negative attitude towards a fellow human being. Maybe one person will notice and take it upon themselves to do the same thing, and in our own small way, we will influence some small corner of the world to rid themselves of the idea of hate.

Wouldn't you know that today is Mardi Gras, I just noticed. Without even intending I have just decided on something to give up for Lent and beyond(not that I typically celebrate the Easter season like that). I'm giving up hate. :) Happy fat Tuesday all, I love you!

Always,
Kayla