Plea for Peace on Social Media 

Over the past couple of years I have been trying to find my “niche” with writing.  So many topics fascinate me and I want to share my opinion on a variety of subjects.  I have recently been focusing on living a minimalistic lifestyle and trying to educate not only my readers, but also myself on better ways to manage money. 

I am not sure how many people will read this particular blog which is a complete topic change, but even if my words can impact one person – well, I will be as pleased as cherry punch.

I want to address a lot of hate talk I have been witnessing on Facebook & Twitter.  With all the recent events which have gone on in the US, France and even in my own city Halifax, people are becoming unsettled.  It is no wonder, as the violence happening has been race related or radicals behind a religion.  No one is disputing the obvious; people are hurting and people are angry as they should be.  

Vicious words are being exchanged. We don’t understand the mentality behind those who are choosing to kill because of race & because of religion, and that is a good thing.  If we understood this way of thinking we would be on par with terrorists and racists.  Not a good thing. 

We want to blame someone. It is human nature to want to blame someone, or an organization, or a religion so we have somewhere to project our anger, our hurt, or our fears. 

I saw a film clip of an African American woman who was clearly deeply wounded and possibly in the midst of a nervous breakdown and she was screaming at the top of her lungs to go to the hospitals and kill all white babies, because if you kill the white babies now that will be less white people to worry about for the future.  This broken woman was so hurt and so scared of what has been going on, she hit her breaking point. She is not evil, she has been impacted by the way she has been treated by society and God only knows maybe she lost a son or a spouse or a neighbor by the hands of a Caucasian.  Yet, people on Twitter attacked her behavior, instead of thinking about WHY she was freaking out.

I am seeing posts about Islam being a violent religion and not peaceful.  Blanketed statements like this are creating fear and hatred in some against all Muslims.  In France, Muslims & Arabs are being treated like criminals & bullied for being Muslim or Arabic, all because of the ignorant belief that all who practice the Islamic faith want all non Muslims dead. This is simply not true!!!  These are radical misguided Muslims and they are not refugees.  These are citizens of the country for whatever reason have chosen to be radicalized.  

We are entering very dangerous territory when we start to speak statements of hatred against a race or religion.  

There is so much hate in the world right now, please don’t buy into ignorant statements and speak up when you are able. Words are powerful and maybe someone will call you an idiot for having the courage to come to one’s defense, but you can be a small glimmer of hope for this world if you can plant some seeds of logic and love. 

Another person on Twitter referred to the Islamic Radicals as the German Nazis, and how we are being silent again.  This is utterly ridiculous for one the Nazis were a unit, they were visible, they had concentration camps scattered across the country & into Poland.  The Nazis had headquarters and uniforms, when they invaded you saw them coming, they were easily identifiable. The ISIS group or Jihad, they dress as civilians when they attack, they don’t have a particular station or headquarters.  They hide behind civilians and they are cowards. They attack and reap the rewards of causing utter chaos and they love it that we are riled up and they are fine that their fellow Muslims suffer for their destruction. 

It isn’t just a case of being Muslim, it is being Arabic.  Anyone who has a darker complexion is probably experiencing some sort of racism during these volatile times.

So, how do we fight the battle of racism?  How do we fight the radicals? How do we come to peace?  We treat one another with respect for one.  We watch our words. We speak up when we hear or see a blanketed racist statement; we comment politely yet intellectualy when we see an ignorant statement – educating others with love and peace on our tongues. 

We need to get uncomfortable.  We need to engage others you may not normally speak to and get to know the person, search for the logic behind their words or their thinking.  Question words you don’t agree to be true.

We are in dire times and you and me, we can be the change. Hate stems from fear and ignorance; remember that. 

Also, I don’t want to diminish anyone’s hurt or anger who has been directly impacted by recent events or personal experiences which are not reported in the news. You have the right to feel what you feel. All I ask is to target the person or the group of people – not the race and not the faith.

Start talking, find your voice and be courageous.

Peace & Love – Rachel