Hatred in America

We are at a crossroads as a nation. We can either move forward, together, or remain in an embittered battle amongst ourselves. The battle lines have long since been drawn, but we are at a time in this country where we can make changes. We can truly open ourselves up to the differences in each other and rid ourselves of the prejudices that hold us down.

We are at a time in this country where lines are finally being blurred. People that this country has tried to keep down for so long are finally succeeding. We are in the middle of a monumental Presidential race on every front. The three contenders for president come from a wide variety of backgrounds and places. We have an African American male, who is the first serious black Presidential contender. A female is making a valiant run for office for the first time. On the Republican side, a man is running for office whose age surpasses what this country has deemed respectable. All of this is happening in 2008, and we are so lucky to be a part of something that our grandparents might never have imagined.

Still, this is not a perfect world, and certainly not a perfect country. We still have massive strides that need to be taken in order to truly right the wrongs that the people in power have saddled us down with for centuries. Things are still not on an even keel, and they will not be unless we decide that we have had enough.

I live in the South. The South is stereotyped in a lot of ways, and some of those stereotypes certainly fit. Black people are, oftentimes, treated like second class citizens right here, in their own country, in their own state. They are mocked and teased and called names that I do not care to repeat. This is in 2008, and frankly, I believe that we all know better. We know that it is not right to make racial comments. The truth is, though, as long as bigots have an audience, they will continue to make perverse remarks. If we stand there and refuse to say anything, we are just as guilty as those people. I do not care if you argue that you are not a racist. You are allowing racism to go on around you, and for that, you are guilty.

Homosexuality is another thing that people feel free to comment negatively about. Again, as a country, we need to take a stand against these comments. Chances are, you know someone who is gay. Maybe they have not told you because they're not sure where you stand on the issue. Show them that you are willing to stand up for gay people. Show them that you do not feel there is anything wrong with them due to their sexual orientation. Take a stand.

As a country, we have to start treating people as equals. Get to know the person, deep down inside of them. Stop making judgments based on skin color, sexual orientation, looks, or gender. There is so much more to a person than what you will see initially.

Most of all, respect yourself enough to refuse to allow hatred to rule your life. Living in hate is a very unhappy way to live, and you are certainly not doing yourself any favors. Never use religion as an excuse to hate. That is not what religion is about, and deep down in your soul, you know that.

Those who live their lives with hate miss out on some of the best parts of life. They have children that want to part ways with them instead of giving into their values. They isolate themselves because they have so much hate in their hearts. The only people who can change that is us, and it is time we stood up and did something.