Why so much hate and anger?

[shootingstar]

There have been times in my life, back in my younger days, when I allowed myself to be poisoned with hate for all the injustice I was witnessing. While it was good to be motivated to actively work to stop such things, I finally realized that hate is as much a disease and every bit as unhealthy for me as any disease found in a medical book.

I still work on behalf of social justice issues, but I long ago vowed never to give in to hate, again. I doubt I'll be remembered for much when I die, but if someone can say of me that she made the world a better place for the love and warmth she added, I will consider my life a success. The only cure for hate is love. That much I do know.

It is difficult work for social justice issues since it is an area where I've volunteered for a decade before shifting to cycling. Interracial relationships and love has had deep impact on our family...forever. And if not resolved, it can be at a high price to a person's mental health. I witnessed for my sister when my parents disowned her for a decade when she married some who was white.

On a slightly different track, just not far away there is a Muslim mosque in neighbourhood (by a cycletrack), where unfortunately a Canadian went over to ISIS in the Middle East and was converted. He was involved in various activities before he was killed. His family was not originally from the Middle East at all. His mother was interviewed on national TV. Anyway, she ended up living in ...france where her family is originally based.

For all the challenges of living in a multi-racial, multicultural and multi-faith society here in Canada....I wouldn't want it any other way for myself. It is the best route long-term for a country in terms of full breadth of perspectives, creativity and resilience. I do continue believe that it makes a society flexible long term.