Recently when President Obama and the first family were in Italy a photograph was snapped of Malia wearing a “Peace Sign” t-shirt.  The conservative website “Free Republic” had a caption contest.  The submissions posted were so vile and ugly it is clear they speak to a not-so-hidden racist hatred that many in this country feel towards our first African American president.

Viciously racist verbal attacks on an 11-year-old girl wearing a “peace” t-shirt are quite upsetting on many levels but why am I writing about this on a blog about happiness?

Well, for multiple reasons.

First, let’s examine racism.  The late British social psychologist Henri Tajfel and John Turner, of the Australian National University, devised a theory to explain the psychology behind prejudices.  They proposed that racism or biases were based in part on the need to think highly of the self.  One way to boost a fragile ego is to be part of a distinctive group – like to be on a winning team.   To be racist is to feel that the qualities of your own group are enhanced and the attributes of “the other” group is denigrated.
If this group then seems to transcend what the racist considers their natural “place,” hatred and anger is a common response. Ultimately, racist or hateful terms against a particular group are used as a proverbial whip in an attempt to beat that group back to their “place.”

Of course, there is a total lack of introspection in this reaction, as the racist may actually feel victimized when their worldview is challenged by reality.  In other words, the truth will set you free but first it will piss you off.
Hatred and anger is a heavy burden for the one who carries it.

I am reminded about something Nelson Mandela recalled about his incarceration.  He said, “Yes, I was angry. And I was a little afraid. After all I’ve not been free in so long. But,’ he said, ‘when I felt that anger well up inside of me I realized that if I hated them after I got outside that gate then they would still have me.’ And he smiled and said, ‘I wanted to be free so I let it go.”   In other words, hate and anger are a poison we take hoping others will die.  Simply, if you are carrying anger or hatred towards or a group of people or even a person, let it go.

What we really need to do is change ourselves.  I submit that we need to operate from the frame that while we have differences as part of different groups, ultimately we are all part of the same group – the human family.

The second reason I am writing about it because personally when I read such hateful stuff like what was posted on that website regarding an 11 year-old-girl, I not only get angry myself, but I feel a little depressed wondering if there is any hope at all for the human race.

Think about it.  For one to sit around behind the veil of anonymity and post such ugly, hateful comments, speaks volumes about that person’s soul.  Sadly, if that is the best that person can offer, they must be extremely (metaphorically) small people.  Inhabiting the world with such people makes this not losing hope thing I’ve committed to, seem like a daunting task sometimes.  Let’s not mention the stuff that goes on internally, then I have to read about all the ugliness in the world.  Frankly, there is a part of me that wants to get on that website and verbally chastise those people, but you know the old saying… “Never fight with a pig.  You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.”  The only thing that would accomplish is to spiritually sicken me.

This is exactly the time I need to re-determine to create value in the world.  I have determined not to add to the ugliness in the world for the sake of my peace and happiness.  I need to re-commit to creating value and this means that I cannot respond to anger with anger.  I can’t respond to hateful words with hateful words.   As Ghandi said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”   For every negative comment on a blog, let’s write two or three good comments.  There is an imbalance of negativity in the world and the whole world is suffering.  To focus on solutions is empowering.  We can’t base our actions in response to the actions of others.  A commitment is a commitment.   Let’s create value.

Thanks for reading,

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