Whether Or Not You Have Stars Upon Yars: A Hippie Moment

People shouldn't be black.  People shouldn't be female.  People shouldn't be fat.  People shouldn't be gay.  People shouldn't be poor.  People shouldn't be wealthy.  People shouldn't be Muslim.  People shouldn't be Republican.  I could go on forever about what you and I, as people, shouldn't be.

Where do we learn this?  It can't be innate.  Babies will smile at anyone, true little pink, toothless paragons of acceptance.  They don't care how old, fat, bald, conservative, and/or gay you are.  They're usually just so damned happy to see your face.  No, it is a legacy, something like a beautiful grandfather clock, lovingly passed from generation to generation, only not beautiful in any way.  It is something we teach our children, an heirloom seed of hatred passed down a long line.  Fortunately, the world is shifting.  A wave of acceptance is slowly changing the way we, as a whole, view our world and what we teach our children.  Basically, I think generations are calling bullshit on hatred.  Finally!

As parents, it is our responsibility to teach them that the only thing people shouldn't do is hurt themselves or one another, physically or emotionally.  Hitting and hating - they both hurt.  What people should do is be kind and compassionate.  Be honest and helpful.  Respect people, their ideas, their beliefs, their choices, and welcome them because of their differences, not in spite of them.  Keep an open heart, and sincerely seek joy for others.  And if you do hurt someone, and you will, be repentant.  And be forgiving of others when they hurt you.  Work together to enrich and improve the world around you, and whatever you do, do it with love.

Thank you for lending me your ear for a moment.  You can have it back now.  Except for you, Mr. Van Gogh.  I'm keeping yours.

*steps down from the soap box and heads to work*