hate not here

The amount of hate I see in the world today utterly disgusts me.  I guess I never truly realized and was in fact very naive to the mentalities and rationality behind it all.  The black history class I took at Sarah Lawrence taught me so much, but what it truly did not prepare me for were the realities of covert discrimination alive and well in America...

I started early on a project for one of my classes (speech), and when I get into things I dive head first and won't stop to come up for air unless I really need it.  I've started to investigate and what I've found out there is sickening.  I know, you're going to say- why read material that you know is wrong and harmful/hurtful towards you?  I don't know the answer.  I was intruiged, I guess.

There are lots of websites, message boards, blogs, and online alliances formed on the sole basis of hate towards another group of people.  I ventured into this territory armed not with my heart on my sleeve (as that is what can get me into trouble), but a dang near thick skin.  I saw something funny, a college student, like myself, who linked her profile to myspace.  Of course that led me to look her up on facebook, and I could view her friends.  Her posts on the site I looked at were incredibly offensive, xenophobic, and racist.  Shocking I guess to find that several of her friends on facebook were not of the background which she deemed acceptable.  Clearly someone is living a double life.  Now here is where the "crazy" comes out in me.  I e-mailed 1 of her "friends."  I linked her profile, posts, and hateful messages and let him know what type of person he calls a "friend."  I know it was a controversial and maybe not the correct thing of me to do.  However, I would hope someone would do the same for me, if there shoe were on the other foot. 

Which leads me to my next point; I always find it funny when people least expect you to belong/find agreement with a group of people they do not associate you with to begin.  For instance the stuff I hear about the LDS faith truly disturbs me.  How many times have I put my foot down and had to correct them?  Or politics.  So many people go off on how "republicans are _______ " and once again... there I am! 

I guess I'll be the first to make a wrong a right. 

Comments

[Jay]

Unfortunately Katie this fact is quite common. The idea that a racist could in fact be "friends" with the people she bashes happens quite often. Nothing has really changed about the underlying assumptions of racism, save that because it not as socially acceptable people often hide their real views in favor of PC-ness or out of denial that they feel a certain way. Take Michael Richards for instance. Has plenty of Black friends and is a Jew himself, but who would have known that he harbored such views? Call me, we must discuss this.

Jay

[Muriel]

so what happened.....

[Lisa Brown]

It is very sad. I think a lot of it comes from fear and laziness - a lot of people are either afraid or too lazy to find out the truth about something - be it a culture, religion, etc. This builds walls. I am glad you are not afraid to stick up for what you know is right.

[Teresa]

I agree with Lisa. I believe when it's all said and done.. it will be what you gave, who you built up, your compassion, character and integrity will be what matters most!

[Brianna]

I'm going to agree with everyone else here. So many people in this world are completely and utterly two-faced and hypocritical about their behavior. Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to change anytime soon.

[Gemma]

Hey Katie girl. I am tagging you. Go to my blog for instructions.

[Tangee]

Hi sweetie,
You are so very right. There are too many in this world with hidden agendas.