Hating Hatred

“Hate is such a strong word,” my aunt would say. “You should say you don’t like something, or you don’t like how someone was acting. But, you should never say hate.”

I grew up on these words, always trying to find another word for this strong emotion burning deep within me. I…don’t like when people pick on me in school. I…don’t like these clothes I have to wear. I…don’t like my life or anything else for that matter. But then, I grew up a little.

My life wasn’t so bad. I was buying my own clothes by then and I was bigger, much bigger.  Picking on me was a long, lost memory. But, by then I was closer to being an adult. I…don’t like paying taxes. Who is FICA anyway and why is he taking all my money? I…don’t like lies politicians tell. Why are they considered the elected royalty of America? I…don’t like thieves. Why do they think they are entitled to my stuff?

I grew up bottling down the hatred. I would have to agree that hate is a strong emotional word and we don’t have to use it. There are other ways to express our emotions. But, that’s a social remedy that allows us to stand tall among others and look everyone in the eye.

I have learned that it’s not a very healthy remedy. It’s a good way to develop ulcers. Holding in our true emotions and never letting what we really feel fly builds up so much hot air inside of us that if we unclenched our butts, they would whistle. Now, that can’t be good!

So to my aunt I say, “With all due respect, there are things I hate!” The word wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have a purpose for it.

I hate when children suffer.

I hate when animals are abused.

I hate when dreams get crushed.

I hate when people end up homeless, starving in soup kitchens, insurance companies withhold money, governments withhold cures, lives are euthanized, and the “haves” hoard it all.

I hate back-stabbing, two-faced people…Ah, that felt so good!

An excerpt from Michael Allen’s Thoughts and Reconsideration

Posted in: Hatred by michaelallen / Tags: animal abuse, bullying, child abuse, hate, hate crimes, homelessness, michael allen, poem, poems, poet, poetry, thoughts and reconsideration