What’s going on in America today?

I don’t want to beat around the bush in this blog post, but nor am I going to get up in your face and challenge your beliefs with my own. I only want to acknowledge that if we look at the “envy-judgment-hate” continuum right now, we’ve swung hard to the “hate” side.

I know I could be talking to the wind here, but I want to see if I can stick with plain speak and reach a few people. Maybe someone who has swung farther than they normally go. Or maybe someone who’s willing to play along to see what comes up.

I have some questions for you. That’s all. A group of questions. No judgment. We’re going to do some brain surfing, dudes, so hang loose.

First one: Have you identified any people or groups you hate? Be honest. You don’t have to report your answers to anyone. This is only for you.

Second, have you recognized that it’s hate? Like (in Valley-Girl mode for a sec here), “oh my God, I am totally feeling hate right now! That’s what it is!”

Third, when you identify who/what you hate, how does it make you feel? And be aware, you may get kind of an adrenaline rush when you’re all like, “Fuck them and the horse they rode in on!” But after that. After the adrenaline is gone. When you’re alone. Do you feel kind of icky inside? As in, way different than when you get a kiss from your baby or a greeting from your happy dog? And I don’t mean over stupid things, like “I hate Rum Raisin ice cream.” No. I mean the important stuff. The stuff like this: “I hate Muslims” and “I hate white people.” That stuff.

Fourth, if you hate a certain group because of how (in your opinion) they act—for example, “Mexicans* are lazy”—do you know for sure it’s true? I mean, do you absolutely know for sure? And even if you know 100 Mexicans, and they are all lazy as shit, is there a chance that can mean every Mexican is lazy? Or even the majority of them? (*Substitute “Mexicans” with any group on your list.)

Last one: If you think about what’s in your heart, would you say it’s mostly full of love or hate? Don’t just think about how you feel toward your girlfriend or your grandpa or your dog or the San Francisco 49ers; think about all the things. Everything you encounter in a day, including bad drivers. Do you feel mostly love, or do you feel mostly hate?

Oops. Psych. I’ve got a bit more. However you feel at the moment—full of love or full of hate—is it how you want to feel? Is it who you want to be? Is it the best thing for you? Because you deserve the best thing for you. You really do. I’m not pulling your leg.

Peace out, dudes. I’m going to go eat an Egg McMuffin or something.

I said you didn’t have to report your answers, but if you have something else to say, don’t hold back. 

Images courtesy of Unsplash