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Don’t spread hate, spread love

Philemon Abayateye, IC Columnist

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Every candidate in the current presidential campaign is free to express their views. However, being presidential candidates, their words and expressions can influence many people and bring up many issues and topics. Like any other election season, this year’s presidential candidates have introduced a lot of narratives into the public discourse. One narrative that, surprisingly, is becoming very popular among Americans is the message of prejudice, hate, division and bigotry.
A particular candidate is spreading hate, loathing, vindictive and contemptuous feelings towards Muslims, illegal Hispanic immigrants or immigrants in general. Unfortunately, this message seems to resonate and is influencing both liberal and conservative Americans.
There is an ongoing dialogue about this candidate who, as we all know is none other than the infamous Donald Trump. He is inspiring so much hate the question becomes: should he even be given access to the high office of United States president? I think that the answer to that will depend on what the American public thinks and what qualities they want in their next president.
I think in the end Americans essentially have to choose whether they want the culture of love or hate. Love is a complex idea and most of us easily toss it out through the window the moment our personal wellbeing is at stake. This is what makes the political campaigns a good platform to perpetuate hate — using hateful language and unfounded fears to whip up “patriotic” sentiments to achieve personal goals. It is easier to reciprocate hate if we believe other people also hate us or our country. And so, Trump is choosing to win votes by spreading hate, as that is the more gossip-worthy and attention-grabbing dialogue.
We’re told the Mexicans are only criminals who rape our women and that every Muslim wants to terrorize America. So naturally, we should reciprocate such hateful intentions. I’ve been thinking about whether there’s a thing as “justified” hate within certain contexts. How much effort does it take to turn a “loving” people into a hateful people?
Trump is telling Americans that building a big wall around America to stop immigrants, driving out “criminal” immigrants, and viciously attacking people who express opposing views and lifestyles will make the country great again. I agree I’m new to that concept of America but I find it difficult to believe that the U.S. can really be that vindictive.
This is the 21st century: a period where most Americans embrace the importance of diversity and increasing global interactions. Strangely, however, the country seems to agree with building this Great Wall of China or the Berlin Wall in America.
So what is the appropriate time for loving Americans to speak up against this growing culture of hate and divisiveness? What is the right time to tell the world that America does not develop based on hateful sentiments? Fortunately, some people have started leading the way, like the creator of the popular Humans of New York Facebook blog who posted: “I realize now that there is no correct time to oppose violence and prejudice. The time is always now. Because along with millions of Americans, I’ve come to realize that opposing him is no longer a political decision. It is a moral one.” Similarly, Elizabeth Warren spoke against the promotion of a form of hate that is virulent and that is bad for the country.
These unilateral efforts are inadequate if ordinary citizens refuse to speak up. We need to send the message that everyone, irrespective of their looks, origins, beliefs or lifestyles, needs love.
We should choose a parallel message to hate. We should talk about building the economy, politics and society without resorting to hate or exploiting the anger in people. So while the messengers of hate and division may even become president of this great country, we have a choice to renounce that message and replace it with the message of love and unity. Let us rise and make America great again.
Philemon Abayateye is a doctoral student in geography and planning.

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Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919.
Don’t spread hate, spread love