Make Love LOUDER than hate!

These words ring so true that I wept when I read them today and had to share with you too. I want it known that I stand against hate of all kinds. Period. Please share if you do too.

As horrific words and acts of hate and violence escalate and come at us faster, we cannot afford to be paralyzed or shell shocked. Let it spur us into coming together to create a wall of Love to surround those who are the most vulnerable! We must stop the hate parade and get our bearings back. We must start a movement of sanity and kindness, neighbor to neighbor, person to person, parent to parent. Because when acts of violence happen to one of us, it happens to all of us, and piece by piece it creates bullet holes in our souls.

Every one of those who have been attacked, threatened or killed have blood that bleeds the same color as yours or mine. All have families and friends who care about them – some enough to risk their lives to escape horrific conditions, journeying into the unknown to search for better opportunities for their children. All have mothers and fathers who cry when their kids are hurt, who would literally offer up their lives if it would help their families. I cannot imagine what it feels like to be that afraid and desperate.

I also realize that I have enjoyed white privilege my whole life, and I am ashamed that I never knew or understood what that meant until now. I will never know all the ways that my minority brothers and sisters (different race, religion, skin color, LGBTQ, etc.) feel fear and uncertainty for themselves or their families when they leave the house, or have a police car pull up beside them, or walk into a restaurant or store of mostly white privileged people like me. I am so sorry! Please forgive my ignorance before, but I am awake now. I vow to stand up for any injustice or bullying that I witness. I promise to have your back going forward.

America used to be the shining beacon on the hill for the world, the country where anyone’s hopes and dreams could come true. Most of us had ancestors who immigrated here – I know I did. We are supposed to be one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Who in our leadership is going to step up and speak up for what is right? Among those who espouse religious beliefs, who will take actions that God, Jesus, Allah and every other spiritual leader would be proud of?

Let us remember that all religions are rooted in Love, yet many who say they are Christian would turn away the poorest and neediest among us. Ask yourself what would Jesus have done? He showed us clearly by example how to treat those who have less than we do. How has it gotten so twisted? And oh dear Lord, our children are watching…. what are we teaching them?

Bad things happen when good people are silent. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. If you turn away, you are part of the problem. If you support words that incite riots and violence, and gleefully cheer at the misery of others, you are part of the problem. When history is written, what will it say about you? Where is your line in the sand? Who are you and what do you stand for? We are all “‘other.” Or we are “them.” There is no gray area anymore. Let’s get past politics and work together for humanity now. Please.

Hate is never the answer. Make Love LOUDER than hate!! Make sure you VOTE this election and make your heart and your voice count! ❤