Enough of Hatred

It is 2021 correct? Twenty one years into the 21st century and here we are dealing with more racism, hatred and hate crimes. Our fellow Asian men and women are being attacked with acts of violence that was influenced by the words of the last man who held the Oval Office from 2016-2020. Words have CONSEQUENCES! Making Asians be the scapegoats for the Covid-19 virus outbreak is bringing our society once again to the lowest common denominator of our being; that is, hate someone because someone tells you to do so and that blames someone for the trouble and strife in your nation.

We haven't progressed have we? Here we are 245 years after declaring our independence as a nation and we are still dealing with racial and social injustice, discrimination, hatred and violence. I just do not understand! I taught History and Culture in the classroom and in my interactions with others and yet despite the general goodwill of so many people, we as a society are still locked in this seemingly endless cycle of "blame, projection, scapegoating and fearmongering". It is sick, wrong and frustrating to no end. Our country, the United States of America, is supposed to be the model of how DIVERSITY is the greatest power any nation could ever strive to have, and yet we are still failing.

Take a good look at this chart. Reflect on it a while. Let these stark statistics get into your mind, heart and soul. What the HELL are we doing?? Why are we, the greatest representative democracy in History doing?? We supposedly pride ourselves in our "individualism" and in our "being American is special", uh huh, special and awesome until it comes to being a different race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, "ability" level and on, and on. WHAT NONSENSE!

Until we speak out and speak up, until we push back against the notion of blaming others, targeting others, and acting like we are somehow better than others, we never begin to solve this issue. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of Evil is for good men to do nothing"-- Edmund Burke.

SO HOW DO WE END THE NONSENSE? We become engaged. We stand up and speak out for others and with others regardless if we are "in their group" or "same as them". I have proudly marched with the National Organization for Women, but I am a male, I have proudly stood shoulder to shoulder as a member of a Gay/Strait Alliance against the Westboro "Baptist" Hate Group, I have marched alongside my African American neighbors and friends to remind my country that Black Lives DO Matter, although I am Latino, and many other examples I could cite here. The point here getting involved and letting your voice be heard.

Here are some easy ways to make a difference in ending Hatred, Racism and any other "-Isms" we are dealing with in our nation, our counties, our cities and our neighborhoods. A quick Google or Bing (or whatever search engine you like) search can pull up a list of resources and organizations in your area such as:

• Cultural Organizations
• Justice Organizations
• Voting Rights Organizations
• City and County Meetings where you can speak to your local leaders
• Events where you can participate and add your talents and time to their cause
• Online groups, organizations and many more resources!

Sick and tired of seeing injustice and/or violence against others? Had enough of the images of hatred, inequality and divisiveness across all media platforms? If so; then you can help bring it to an end, bring this sorry chapter of our history to a place where the majority of people no longer tolerate words and actions revolving around race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability or an other label that has been put on our fellow Human Beings. "It's about time, it's about changes, and it's about time"-- John Denver.