The “H” Word 6

I have a new 4-letter word to add to the list of words that drive me bonkers – Hate.

I know, pretty radical word, isn’t it? Let me explain. Let’s take a little trip back in time, you know, to save the future and all.

During the run up to the 2008 Presidential election, it was no secret that I was no fan of (to put it lightly) Barack Obama. I heard time and time again that if you didn’t support Obama, you “hated black people.” Or, “you hate him because he’s black.” To which I would reply (or think when I heard this ridiculous logic on TV), “no, I don’t hate him at all. I don’t agree with his positions on key issues, and it most definitely has nothing to do with the color of his skin.”

Don’t get me wrong. I’m certain there are people who don’t like, even hate, the President due to the color of his skin, and that is a shame and really a commentary in and of itself of how far we haven’t come since the Civil Rights movement.

Over the past year two years the term “haters” seems to have increased in popularity. See this post for more on haters. It’s gotten to the point where if someone doesn’t agree with us, they are quickly labeled a hater. “Dont support me?” You’re a hater. “Said something I didn’t agree with?” You’re a hater. And it goes on and on.

And now we come to the big one, and this will offend some of you, and that’s ok. My goal is to get you to think, so hear me out.

You may have heard about the two “small” cases the Supreme Court is taking up this week, both in regards to the issue of same sex marriage.

I’ve covered in previous posts my views and beliefs on homosexuality. Feel free to look them up for yourself.

But do me a favor. Do not call me a hater because I don’t agree with a way of life. I often times hear the words “fear monger” and “war monger” tossed around, and I can’t help but think when you label everyone a “hater” who doesn’t see the world the same way you do, you’re a “crazy monger” or a “no logic monger”.

Here’s the thing. When you apply these kinds of labels on people you’re almost immediately shutting down any good chance you had for an honest, open dialog with them. Perhaps they had some insight that would have been beneficial, but now you won’t know, because they’re oh so full of hate.

Then there’s the other “H” word – homophobic. Don’t get me started on that one. Again, just because I don’t agree with a life style in no way means that I’m afraid of people practicing that lifestyle. That logic is childish and silly at best and a bald faced lie at worst.

So, please, do us all a favor and quit throwing the “H” word around all the time.