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| Photo by the author |
We have to admit it; life is hard.
You may try and deny it and say, "Oh no, life is beautiful! We
should cherish it and enjoy what we can" or something along those lines. Nobody said it wasn't. As beautiful as life can be, it is definitely difficult. There are different aspects of life that dictate this difficulty for each and one of us. For some people,
financial struggles are a major stressor in their lives, while for other people
it’s their health. Even still for others, interpersonal relationships with
others are difficult in and of itself, and how we’re perceived by the people
around us.
As we continuously grow, we become more acutely aware of how people see us, and we consistently raise the bar for us to meet those perceptions—oftentimes, they are even self-imposed. Living with ourselves, and living with others can be a labyrinthine experience, as we consistently try to navigate how to interact with people properly.
So, again, life—and living, is hard.
Hate Speech can refer to any way of expression, although
usually verbal, that is intended to degrade, discriminate, and dehumanize
another person based on their race, orientation, gender, or any other reason
that people deem fit to judge others. Common examples of Hate Speech can be can range from as simple as a mean, demoralizing joke, to a straight-out slur or threat that
people throw casually. While there are those who may justify these acts as entailments of freedom of speech, freedom should never directly cause harm to others, and that is what hate speech does.
We're taught to ignore negativity, block out the hate that comes our way, and pretend it's not there. Should this always be the alternative? I don't think so.
With today’s social climate, it’s nearly impossible to truly ‘block it out’ and ignore hate speech when we witness it. It spreads like wildfire and encourages others to partake. Before you know it, others have begun using the same harmful language toward you, as well. This can manifest in real life and online, creating unsafe environments for people and further alienating those on the receiving end of hate.
Hate speech is harmful in a multitude of ways but most tragically, it reduces people's self-worth. To berate and disparage people for things they do not have a choice of being is to treat them below the standards of what humans ought to be privileged with. It is harmful because it not only poisons other people's minds but also those who receive it, making them believe they are worth less than they are.
In a world that is all too comfortable with hate, we must always choose to be kind.
To reach out for help, for your sake or others', is not a sign of weakness, not a sign of surrender. Being kind and offering support to those who need it, such as checking in on your struggling friends, taking the time to understand their troubles, and generally cultivating a space that is safe and welcoming are strong actions that combat the culture of hate. While negativity becomes more and more impossible to ignore, it doesn't mean you are alone. Just as hate is ever-present in this world, so is love—and a million times more, at that. Look for these safe spaces where love is of abundance, they'll be happy to have you.
Life is hard, yes, but being kind, especially to yourself, makes
it feel just a bit easier.
