The Soft Approach to Hate Accountability-A Nation Still in the Making!

United We Stand Photo

Hate is one of those things that will seriously damage our ability to compete in the next era where we have no option but to maximize our diverse benefits. There are those in our communities and in government that  support (either intentionally or unintentionally) hate through turning a "blind eye" and failing to take legitimate concerns seriously. The good news is that a simple majority of people continue to believe in a nation where race, religion, ethnic identity, etc... have no value next to skill and ability. 

Of course if we choose our employees and leaders based on their actual skill we might be pleasantly surprised when a movement takes hold that creates positive economic and social opportunities. It is helpful to build social expectations where people are judged on their character as a person and their ability to perform certain tasks in society versus their racial and/or religious affiliation. 

That would be an ideal society invented by "idealists" wouldn't it? One in which people are treated fairly, the law is designed to uphold our values and on a social level we expect people to emulate certain basic principles we all share in agreement. There is a moral compass and purpose to our decisions. Those who work hard can achieve on their own merit without being blocked by the "well connected" (A truer form of Capitalism takes hold.).

I suspect at that point we would be a place where human performance is unchained from the false social expectations of the past and into a more collaborative effort to secure all of our futures (Fantasyland I guess...but our country did start with such an ideal in mind). Agreement that we shall stand as one to face the future before us and thwart those who desire to tear us apart (Domestic or Foreign). It is a commitment to our ideals that will save us.

Before we can truly tackle hate we should come too understand its contagious nature and the deep desperation that incubates the disease. Hate at its very root is mental health based in the inability to differentiate between perception and reality. The good of some is discounted in order to focus on the bad (or intentionally characterizing the "bad") leading to miscued quick heuristic judgements and social expectations that damages not only the recipients but also the health of the nation as a whole. 

Worse then the rage hate supporters conjure with the magic wand of misinformation and misdirection is the hidden rage they feel about themselves (If you can rage without good cause or immediate danger that comes from self hate and the distortion in perception it creates). Their identity becomes anchored to being better than "others". In essence, if they don't succeed in subjugating and belittling in one incident they will seek more scapegoats in future incidents (Why the "blind eye" isn't a wise policy. It solves little and many times makes problems bigger. The precursors to hate can't be placated by sacrificing victims.).

With the risks our country currently faces we do not have the capacity to chase false strategies that lead to the reduction of our overall national health and resources. We should reach out to the peace and prosperity that comes from shared visions. Where voices are pulling us together you will find a greater focus on similarities while those who want to pull us apart will highlight our differences (Look close enough and you will see a pattern of thinking. Choose your politicians wisely. Its not race, religion or party specific). 

One path will lead to international market mastery and renewed national vitality while the other will lead to the bottom of the ash heap of history. The easy route might look inviting but each society that walked that path quickly declined and most cease to exist today. All great societies must change and adapt to new  international "realities" or will be led by the sweet sound of rhetorical hyperbole into a delusion that greatness is found through little more than tough talk and clicking of heels (The path to social upheaval.) 

National power comes from focusing on maximizing the benefits of our shared strengths. Leaders and institutions have a moral and Constitutional mandate to stand up for the essential values that makes America....American! (This is written in support of thinking beyond our differences to something bigger than ourselves). We have an ideal to uphold that has transcended generations back to the beginning. Let's not drop the torch during our generation's watch.

Two really great quotes....

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

President Harry S. Truman

“America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine providence on behalf of the human race.”

Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson