Does It Really Matter Where Hate Comes From?

The mass shooting in Orlando has brought a sharp focus to hate. There is plenty to go around. Sadly, there are those who are already using the tragedy to stoke even more hatred. The LGBTQ community is no stranger to experiencing hate. The Muslim community has also experienced hate. And there are so many, too many others who know what hate is all about.

Looking at the pictures of the victims in Orlando is difficult. These were vibrant young people with so much of life in front of them and so much they could have offered. Gone in an instant for some and agonizing minutes turned into hours for others. All a product of hate.

Does it really matter if the hate comes from ISIS, homophobia, mental illness, political or religious motives? Does it matter if hate comes from the right, the left or the middle? Does it matter if hate is home grown or internationally bred? Does it matter who hate kills - children, Jews, Muslims, people of color? Hate is pretty pervasive, towards individuals and groups. It is stoked and encouraged and it's coming from all directions.

To me it doesn't matter where it comes from. There are too many hate villains. It really comes down to what do we (I) do about it or how do we (I) respond to it? I certainly think we need to call it out when it happens. I also think we need to work at non confrontational, non violent responses to it. As we've seen in this presidential election cycle, disruption and yelling at opponents is being used as a tactic more and more. The result ends up being more people yelling at each other and the potential for more, not less violence. But hate speech does need a response and the more direct, the better.

I will write about it, talk about it, engage people in discussions and stand against it wherever and whenever possible. Where it comes from matters less then what we do about it.