The continual onslaught to humanity’s collective well-being is wearing thin. We have been on and off this seesaw for almost a decade now.

As I observe this I really wonder why we continue to come back here as a society. So many have shown us another way, a way to inclusivity and prosperity of the whole. Why do we keep missing our opportunity for a kinder, gentler society. Why is hate so attractive to some? What are we doing wrong in the construction of a society to assume that hate ever is on the right side of anything? Why do we allow our societies to be fed hate? That’s like pouring kerosene on your home and then wondering why it caught on fire.

Personally, I believe that a hate tax would be a nice tonic to what ails us, fine it, make it unprofitable.

When the insidious stream of hate creeped back again is arguable of course, but we can no longer argue whether or not it is here. It has extended to name calling, and strong arm tactics in our election cycles and politics, and currently on our streets. What the fxxx?

I think we are very close to becoming a diseased community. The disease in this case is an acceptance and normalization of violent behavior and hate. There is a line between disliking someone and acting violently; hate is violent. You can’t name call and strong arm, and then expect people to unite in community afterwards. It is a tactic that may win an election cycle but won’t mend the fabric of society or build community.

As long as hate, name calling and bullying is allowed in our leadership it will be allowed in our societies. As long as we continue to be divided by fear mongering and hate of the other, we will continue to be like two tectonic plates coming together producing earthquakes within the fabrics of our societies, damaging ourselves over and over again.

I wonder when we as a society or going to be ready for the earthquakes to stop? When will we demonstrate for once and all that Love trumps Hate? This isn’t about a person. It is about behavior. You demonstrate love by developing empathy for what you do not understand, and showing respect to all. You learn tools of respect like nonviolent communication to express yourself.

The theory that the end justifies the means or that hatred of the other ever has an excuse to live is just a fallacy. It is a fairy tale just like the fable of Cinderella.

If you behave violently towards others and condone violence in others don’t be surprised when others respond violently. When you fail to stand up for what you know is right, don’t be surprised when it fades away.

If we want a society worth being a part of, we have to end the utilization of hate as a tool, or a means to an end. When we get out of the mess we are currently in, we must remember to address hate as the eroding, destructive force it is. We must reduce tolerance for hate, and create policy that minimizes it.

Hatred creates a huge hurdle for community well-being and is economically expensive to society. The Bard Center for the Study of Hate (BCSH) estimated that the measurable annual cost of hate crimes in the US in 2019 was nearly $3.4 billion.

If those that develop policy actually cared about cost savings, they would focus on ending hate.

“God Blooms From the shoulder Of the Elephant Who becomes Courteous to The Ant.” ~ Hafiz

Also, if you are curious about any implicit biases visit the link below.

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

© Copyright L Kay Smith, 2025