Combatting the Trend of Hate
Everywhere we look we see stories and articles about hate. While some of these articles do have a positive message and encourage us to fight against discrimination even more of them talk about instances of hate and hate crimes. We are becoming a society that knows there is a problem and it is time for us to rise up together against it.
What is Hate?
A simple answer to this question is passing a negative judgment on a person or a group. This discrimination can be about race, religion, gender, sexuality, and countless other characteristics or beliefs. So where does hate come from? A lack of understanding is at the core of every bias. We are a society made up of individuals and we find comfort being surrounded by people who share our values and there is nothing wrong with that. Where we get into trouble is when we fail to acknowledge and respect our differences. People with different religions do not have to be enemies. People with different racial backgrounds can be prideful of who they are without being hateful towards others. The key to building a strong American and a great local community is to respect others and to be open-minded. Do not be afraid to ask about someone’s culture. Just do it in a respectful way. Be willing to learn about other people so you can understand them better and by doing so you will earn their respect.
Stronger Together
American is a society full of people with different backgrounds and what makes us great is our ability to band together for a common purpose. No one demographic or religious group won two world wars, Americans working together did. It is important to note that American history is full of discrimination and racism. If we look back far enough almost any country has moments and eras they are not proud of. What sets us apart is how we have moved the needle forward on the issue. Most Americans believe in tolerance and understanding and hateful people will always exist, but as a society we have made strides to move toward equality. Recent events only prove that we have more work to do to achieve this goal. Things are better than they used to be but that doesn’t mean we are where we should be. We must continue the never ending battle for what is right and we must ensure we all do our part to continue to make our society more equal and more diverse.
How to Make a Difference?
The hardest thing about enacting change in a society, is understanding how to do so. History is littered with people who have tried and who have succeeded in making progress, but it is up to us to carry on the legacy of these great individuals. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Susan B. Anthony are just some well known examples of great individuals who fought for equality. They are people who had the courage to stand up to hate and to teach America, and the world, that there is a better way. These are people who did not want gender or race to be a factor when judging people. The best way to prove this is to quote Dr. King “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The last few words are key to understanding his point, “content of their character.” An individual’s character is a creation of their values and personality. Character is not dependent on belief or demographic but is about action. So returning to the question is how do we make a difference in the fight against hatred? The simple and most fundamental thing we can all do is live our lives being open minded and by judging people by who they are not what they are. Finally, if you are patient do not hesitate to get involved. There are countless organizations and movements out there that have programs to help promote justice and equality for all.
How This Impacts the Workplace
For a long time companies would not hire people because of race, religion, or gender. Most of our parents would remember this time. Even today, there is disparity between pay rates based on race and gender. The difference is slowly becoming smaller but it still does exist. When looking for a new job or evaluating the company you work at currently, it is important to think about these aspects. Do you really want to work for a company that has biases? Or do you want to work at a company that stands for equal treatment of all. Most companies live somewhere between these two parameter; however, the direction in which they are heading is important. Recently some major companies have openly admitted to having diversity issues and some are working hard to correct them. These are the organizations we should support. They are attempting to change for the better and being part of these organizations can make us feel prideful in where we work. We must remember that we cannot change the past, but we can learn and grow from the mistakes made. If we hold our workplaces to a higher standard, companies with great values will succeed.
Hate is easier then acceptance and that is why it will always exist. However, our will to combat discrimination and to stand up for what is right is what will drive our society forward. Only by working together, with people from all different backgrounds, will we continue to be the best country and society in human history. Do your part and stand up for what is right.