Tuesday, March 13, 2007

What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love

I have been ruminating over this the past few days, but I think the two things I dislike more than anything else in this world is hate and ignorance. I would have to give a lot of credit to Dave for his insights and numerous discussions we have had on this topic.

I don't even mean hate in the visceral sense; I mean it in the "I don't know what that is but I don't like it sense." It is a hate that is influenced by ignorance and an inability to want to change or become more knowledgeable. I think when you are young, especially, these are two conceptions that are so dangerous to hold on to. Youth are a driving force, but alone, we cannot accomplish everything. Our voices are not taken seriously and dismissed by those that are older and "more experienced."

I do believe, as well, that age is not an excuse for changing these outlooks and refuting the evils of ignorance and hate. It is, rather, a refusal to see things differently and take into consideration other perspectives- ignorance. Yes, it is difficult to change and shift your whole paradigm after years of believing one thing, but it is also not unheard of.

I felt compelled to write about this because I just thought of how these two forces have served to only create divisions among ourselves; divisions that prevent us from seeing our similarities and focus on our differences. It has started wars, lead to discrimination, and various other situations in which divisions and walls are built between individuals or groups of people.

Ok, rant over. Thinking about this topic makes my heart feel heavy... and so sad that there are people out there that perpetuate hate and ignorance.