Local Voices: We Can Overcome Hatred

By John Horton
   
Hatred has always been amongst us. It is evil and it kills the human spirit. Hatred has been used to breed divisiveness, disharmony and disunity. Thusly, we can no longer allow hatred to divide Americans along these social, economic and political venues.  In today’s world, we need more camaraderie, commitment and compassion.  Together, “we” can make a difference.
Sometimes, there is a need for a society and culture of “we,” instead of a society and culture of “me.” 

It is time for our leaders and influential others to do what is best for all Americans. As such, I strongly believe in compromise, sacrifice, fairness, and unity.  “We” can get the job done to improve opportunity and to promote responsibility for all Americans.  Our history, culture and heritage speak to this “possibility of circumstance.” We should never allow our partisanship and pettiness to debilitate and/or destroy us.  We have come too far and done too much, together. 

Therefore, let us “think” about what must be done … what needs to be done in the best interests of our America.  As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would say, we must come together in the name of “light and love:” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can.” Sometimes we must put our country’s overall best interests ahead of our party affiliations and individual differences.  “We” must strive for the common good, general welfare and more perfect union.

To quote Alexis de Tocqueville: “… Those that despise people will never get the best out of others and themselves … The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults …” I firmly believe that working together as Americans, we can overcome hatred.  Yes, we can!
John Horton is a resident of Norfolk and a frequent contributor to this newspaper.