Fighting Hate--Making a Loving World

I recently received a mailing from the Southern Poverty Law Center which included a small booklet titled Ten Ways to Fight Hate:  A Community Resource Guide.  The ten ideas are excellent, and I will list them in a moment, but first I wanted to take note of the name of this booklet.  In particular, the second half of the title: A Community Resource Guide.  In that title, especially in the word "community," one finds the real secret to dealing with hate and prejudice.  Community.

I recently heard a commentator say that it was his belief that our chief problem today is that everybody, and he meant everybody, feels as if they are marginalized.  While I am not sure that is literally true, what really matters is that so many people are feeling that way.  And why?  In part, because we have forgotten that a true community invites all of its members to full participation.  A true community seeks to include the needs of all in its deliberations.  A true community respects the rights of all to hold differing opinions and finds ways to build compromise into the very fabric of its being.  If we are to truly rid our society of hate, then it will take the whole community.

So here's the list:

1.   Act--apathy is our biggest enemy!
2.   Join Forces--we must work together!
3.   Support the Victims--reach out to those who have been injured by hatred.
4.   Speak Up--don't let hateful remarks or actions go unchallenged!
5.   Educate Yourself--learn all you can about other people, other groups, other ideas.
6.   Create an Alternative--be creative in helping people express their fears, their concerns, their issues.
7.   Pressure Leaders--make sure those in various leadership positions, government, religion, business, know these are important issues.
8.   Stay Engaged--don't give up, just because the work is hard and the road long!
9.   Teach Acceptance--and not just to children!
10. Dig Deeper--look inside yourself and see what's there!

We can create a world where all people are welcome--but it's not easy.  It takes a village, so to speak.  It really takes a community!