Love, Hate & Politics: One Artists View

 I find it interesting when those who have suffered hate and intolerance, fight against it and as soon as they are shown a bit of respect and tolerance, they turn around and become so intolerant and hateful of others almost instantly. Because the logic has become that hate plus hate is gonna somehow equal peace and love if you dump enough of it on someone. Insults, name calling, bashing and generalizing people are so commonplace now. People categorize each other into groups based on anything that differs from them. For example, "If you think THIS, then you must be THAT or be with THOSE people." We do it to help us make better sense of the world around us when we are uninformed of something new and different and feel somehow threatened. It's like the initial response has become so repellent and abrasive that humanity itself is discarded with words.

     Civil dialogue is now becoming a thing of the past and even past and present members of our country's leadership and law makers call for incivility and violence instead of dialogue, peace and resolution. The television now has news personalities bashing, bullying and even using and laughing at racial slurs and insults at individuals for being just that, individual. Division and hate has become this accepted reality created by those who constantly speak it into existence. There's a real fear that comes from the ego that makes us fight like hell against compromise or change. But showing respect, humility and frankly the tolerance that we feel we deserve does not mean we are giving away a piece of our soul we will never get back. We can still remain intact and safe while actually listening and sharing ideas with one another.

     I have co-workers and friends that have completely different views than me on some big time things like religion and politics, but it in no way puts a damper or strain on work or friendship. Because we have found that there is still this basic everyday human stuff that connects us all. Being able to laugh with people and enjoy very respectful and professional commonalities despite our differences cuts right through the division and hate and right to the heart of who we are. Just people. Although we have opposite beliefs on some topics, we accept the differences and get past them. If anything, I am grateful to know that not everyone needs to war with people because of right, left, blue, red, east or west every time they interact with others whether online or in person. Sometimes, we can just come together. I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for these people and although I may say or believe somethings they may not, they have always treated me with dignity and respect as well. In fact, some have opened my eyes and made me rethink things and look inward, which is my own personal testimony that with some respect and a bit of love and mature dialogue, beautiful things can be achieved.

        Anyone that knows me well, knows what a huge music freak I am. It has always been such a huge part of my life and I'm sure most everyone can say the same. Music has always been the one thing that could bring people together and break down all of the differences and barriers that divide. Now, with social media being so intertwined with society, we are able to follow some of the musicians and singers that we have grown up with online. Now, I know that EVERYONE has the right to free speech and that includes the musicians and artists we follow. However, I have noticed that many of them now voice opinions of intolerance and hate for groups of people because of their views, opinions or beliefs. They echo the voices of a once unbiased media that now joins in the belittling, the shaming and hate speech. Where their voices and music once united masses of people with common human emotion and humanity, now those same voices divide and separate people. Some musicians even go as far as stating, "Choose a side, if you're on THAT side, F@#$ YOU!" Maybe for the people that enjoy grade school bashing, shaming and name calling, it's a fun time, but I ask only that you think of this: When you then turn around and try to share some post online or state some concern and sadness the next time a story about a child who committed suicide because they were bullied in school, take a look at the messages that you've been sending into the world and to the kids that want some encouragement about the world they are about to inherit. They see prominent celebrities, musicians, news personalities and politicians spewing hate speech, racial slurs, shaming, bashing and doing all the things they try to escape in school. And when you do it, you only regurgitate the divisive, mind control propaganda that the "the media machine and it's favorite celebrities" has programmed you to believe. You give no hope to the future our youth are about to face, when the example you set is intolerance and completely closed off to those that believe differently. In my opinion it could only contribute to the hopelessness a suicidal person may feel and help them choose to end their life believing that when they get older, they may face more of the same thing.

     Hate against another human because of religious or political belief, race, sex or however they choose to identify themselves in this world only leads to one place... more hate. That, to me, makes for a cold, uninspiring world devoid of love and beauty. New ideas and new concepts inspire creativity. I don't believe that people are unchangeable or simply not redeemable either. Everyday is a new canvas. We grow, we live and we learn. I pray we all develop the tolerance to allow each other to do the same. Myself included. I need to become a more merciful individual. But I won't let anyone make me choose some side or stance just to be judged for it. I choose to opt out of being grouped or categorized for someone else's sanity. I choose to be an individual and a free thinker; free to make my own decisions, have my own beliefs and be able to change and interchange them as I wish.  Thanks for reading. Rant over. God bless you. Yes, you too. <3