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We teach our children not to judge others based on race, religion, or gender- but the first thing out of mouths after any real or perceived injustice, crime, or slighting is so often “It’s because I’m/you are race X”.  It is an automatic default to race- why?  This is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with the most interfaith and interracial marriages, and many interracial and interfaith children.  Where LEGO minifigs come in about a zillion shades of “fig”. The hate is really wearing on me lately.  I’m this, I’m that, this is happening because I’m this- really?  Is everyone so put upon?  Does everyone really hate everyone else so much?

Yesterday, my son and I were on our way to an event in NYC.  We passed (or were passed by) a march protesting “police brutality”, specifically the Ferguson death with posters for a few others, with a majority simply saying “Stop Police Brutality” and “Black Lives Matter”.  My son again asked me why people can’t just love each other, and why don’t ALL lives matter?  And the police are here to protect them while they are marching, so why do they still hate the police?  What do you say to a 7 year old, and how do you explain….
Black Lives Matter, Muslim Lives Matter- but if you say “All lives matter” you are an ignorant person who doesn’t care about other people.  Just ask twitter- go on, click the hashtag.  If you dare to say all lives matter- you clearly are an idiot.  What’s that about?

Of course, tweets are not the end all be all- it’s just twitter.  It’s just frightening that people really think like this.  If I don’t like you, it’s because I think you are a jerk, not because of the color of your skin or which religious emblem you choose to hang around your neck- and I hope you feel the same way about me.  (If you want to hate me, hate me because you just can’t stand me, der.)  Seems easier that way.

Not everything is some secret anti-whatever-you-happen-to-be racist code. Sometimes you didn’t get the job, the assignment, called on in class because you weren’t the best, you weren’t the friend of the person handing out the assignments (lets face it, people pick their friends), or you just didn’t get your hand up as fast as that guy.  It’s not all a conspiracy.  The whole world doesn’t hate you. Or me.  (Yes, I’m working on that).  Or anyone else because they look a certain way.  Are there racists?  misogynists?  nationalists, sexists- basic jerks all around.  Of course. But most people are not in the market of hating for the sake of hate.
We really can learn from our kids.  Kids don’t care what you look like, where you worship, or if you are a boy or a girl.  Until you have cooties- then, ew.  Someone get a cootie shot, STAT.  We need to practice what we preach- even when it comes to ourselves.  I didn’t get it because I wasn’t what you were looking for, I wasn’t the best, or even- hey now- you picked your buddies, of which I am not one of.  Next time, some other place- but it’s not all ’bout that race. At least not most of the time.  It starts with us- the rest of the world might be going to hell in a handbasket- but if we, individually, can pull it together, and act AT LEAST AS WELL AS WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO, then we can turn it around.  Because the one thing that we all have in common is that we want the world to be a safe place, a better place for our children.  You may say I’m a dreamer (or just stupid and wrong because I don’t know anything about anything), but I’m not the only one. We need to pull it together, people.  #SpreadLoveNotHate . Trend that, twitter.