22 February 2006
You know those kids in Africa who are dying of AIDS and starvation. Man, I really hate those kids!! You know those homeless guys in the city, always on the same street corner. I hate those guys!! What about those workmates who are having some personal problems at home. I really hate those guys!!And, gee, don't get me started on the exploited workers in the third world.
My hate for them flows ever freely!!
But don't worry, I'm not biased, I hate everybody...
And so, I suspect, do you.
What does it mean to hate someone?
I recently heard a wise man say "We keep confusing anger with hate. They are not the same thing."
That comment made me realise that I am a very hateful person. Because hate can manifest itself in anger, but it can also manifest itself in ignorance and apathy. It is anything that is not love.
So, that child in Uganda who's starving while I buy my new mobile phone. I hate that kid, man!! I really hate him!! It's in my power to show him love by donating to World Vision of Orxfam or Compassion or whoever. Instead, I get my upgraded gadget.
Or that homeless guy on the corner of George and Market. I really hate him.
Every time I treat him as a piece of furniture in the street and not a human being,
every time I walk past him and ignore him, I hate him.
And yet, there's not a hint of anger in me as I go around hating everybody.
Who's on your hate list?
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