Our country is becoming blinded by its attachment to its own polarized views. People don't know what being moderate and appreciating a diversity of views is anymore, and that when someone does not share their views, they do not have to go into attack mode. Much of our culture claims to be tolerant, and yet they are blatantly intolerant to those who do not hold their views. That defeats the purpose of tolerance.
Many have been victims of discrimination, and are not left to live their lives in peace as well. And quite often, the other side is the same way. Intolerance has gotten to the point that everyone has to apologize for everything, walk on eggshells about everything they say, and censor everything they say to make sure it is P.C. Being P.C. is one thing, and compassion and tolerance are another. Compassion and tolerance can exist simultaneously with freedom of speech. Political correctness can exist without love, but compassion cannot. I know there are those that don't agree, and that is fine. And those that need to guard their tongues more, often say hurtful things to lash out because they see culture changing so fast, to the point that the cultural wars could cause another opportunity to split our country in half.
Intolerance breeds more intolerance. Offense breeds more offense. And hate breeds more hate. In order to break this cycle, people must practice love and understanding. That is the first commandment. No, tolerance should not come at the complete expense of our convictions, but love wasn't given as the first commandment without reason. It seems absurd to say that cultural differences can split our country in half now, but if offense grows rampant in our society, how to forgive is forgotten, and as culture forgets the art of civil debate, it only takes a generation or two to destroy all that previous generations gave their lives for.
I think about the people I have loved and lost that gave years of their lives fighting for this country and our freedoms, and I know this is not what they would want. The best way we can honor their memory is to have open dialogue while standing up for what we believe, respect each other, and learn to let go of offense, regardless of our views, and that includes me. We need to focus on and give more energy to what makes us the same, not what makes us different. Imaculee Iligabiza, who wrote Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust saw her entire family murdered during the Rwandan genocide, and she forgave those (with much difficulty) that committed unthinkable acts against her people: "As for the land of my birth, I know that Rwanda can heal herself if she learns the lesson of forgiveness. Tens of thousands who were jailed for killing during the genocide are starting to be released into their own towns and villages, so if there ever was a time for forgiveness, it is now. Rwanda can be a paradise again, but it will take the love of the entire world to heal my homeland. And that's as it should be, for what happened in Rwanda happened to us all--humanity was wounded by the genocide."
"The love of a single heart can make a world of difference. I believe that we can heal Rwanda--and the world--by healing one heart at a time."
What is going on in this country is nothing like what happened in Rwanda in the 90's, but the principle of love and forgiveness is the same. I believe Ms. Iligabiza is saying that what one does to another, affects the whole world. People look to the U.S. as a leader and example, and when we do not live up to our potential, others are influenced by our behavior. It affects the whole world. Ilagabiza forgave people who murdered her family and tortured her. While I am not saying that unforgiveness always leads to killing, intolerance was a disease that infected their country until Hutus began killing Tutsis by the thousands because they saw them as "cockroaches." They forgot to see their enemies and opponents' humanity. I have been guilty of this myself. As issues, controversies, and "scandals" continue to arise, try to look at all people in the situation as humans who are trying to do their best in this life. Sometimes it is best to give someone the benefit of the doubt, regardless of what the media or its opponents do or say.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my conservative and liberal friends. I love you all, regardless of your views.
