“I think that hate is a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding.”
– Tennessee Williams
Like a lot of people, I went to bed last night not knowing what to expect when the sun came up today. What other jarring news would await the nation when the day began, and what other horrific act would be occurring before it ended. There seems to be a storm cloud hanging over the country these days, more so than usual, although I think its a valid point made that perhaps things are just more visible than ever now. Was it always this awful? Or are there just more cameras now. There is a lot of anger being expressed. There is a lot of sadness. A lot of people are disappointed.
Each week seems to bring another issue to the forefront of our news feeds, be it via social media, the television, internet, or the water cooler at work. Religious extremist one week, the upcoming election the next, shelving the refugee crisis in Europe for a slow news day. No matter what, trouble is always brewing.
The emotions these situations elicit from our society seem to be a hard stance, no matter which “side” of the issue you fall on. There will always be varying points of views, on every one of the issues that come up. That is a fact of life. The thing that has begun to stick out to me is just how the differing in opinion is displayed now days. There seems to be this over the top mistrust in those that believe something different than ourselves. Do we really hate those that disagree with us? Was there always this level of venom towards the other side of the room? I have seen it from both sides of nearly every issue that has come up. I would like to know if that is truly the case, if the written out malice for an argument is hatred. Hating amongst people that don’t personally know one another, never will see one another’s face, never were subjected to anything more than a difference of opinion. History is littered with acts resulting from hatred, none more puzzling than those resulting from comments made in a digital forum.
Going abroad has given an added dimension to how societies react towards conflicts and issues, I am glad for that. Sometimes I think it makes me detached, not necessarily in a bad way. I love this country, and I am thankful for the opportunity being a born and raised citizen here has afforded me and my daughter. That being said, it seems that as a the days go by, I worry more and more that there is going to be so many more pitfalls my daughter will have to navigate to stay safe and enjoy a successful life here. I am sure a lot of other parents at some point during the past 24 hours have stopped and thought, “what do I tell my child?“…
