Hate: a Word Surrounded by Controversy 

Introduction: Understanding the Complexity of Words

Every word has its textbook meaning, but that does not apply to every person. It is not uncommon for words to have multiple connotations. Hate or hatred is one of these words. Hate does not just apply to a teacher who gives much homework, a younger sibling that takes the passenger seat, or tuna sandwiches. In this day and age, hate can also be a feeling directed towards another individual's or group's race, ethnicity, gender, and religious beliefs. Hate is now directed towards people of African or Hispanic heritage, people who decide to have abortions, or even men and women who love their sex. Overall, hate is an emotion. Hate can invoke feelings of animosity, anger, or resentment. Hatred, by the day, seems to consume everyone and affects everybody's actions.

Hate: A Word Surrounded by Controversy

America has even created an entirely new offense in criminal law: the "hate crime." According to New York Times Magazine, "In 1985, there were 11 mentions of 'hate crimes' in the national database Nexis. By 1990, there were more than a thousand. In the first six months of 1999, there were 7,000" (Doe, 1999). This shows that more and more people are using this term, whether it is an accurate description of what happened or not. It can be easily inferred that America's idea of what hate means has been skewed. Hate should be more than just prejudice, bigotry, bias, or anger. 'Hate' should be seen as standing for a particular idea or belief, or set of beliefs, with a specific object or group of objects. This makes the word less toxic and controversial. This idea of seeing hate as a way of separating someone's beliefs from others is an opinion that most people do not care to listen to. They know hate only as an emotion they feel when they are disturbed by a statement or action. Perhaps these philosophies are of no concern to those waging war on hate. Hate can be considered subjective.

The Evolution of Hate and Human Nature

Hate is everywhere. At some point in human evolution, being able to know who was friend or foe was not merely a matter of philosophical reflection; it was a matter of survival. Even today, it seems impossible to feel loyalty without also feeling disloyalty. As humans, we are social beings. We will and continue to associate. Due to this, we will also disassociate. Although many wish that one can work without the other, unfortunately, it does not. The reason for this is that humans are opinionated creatures. Much of the time, people have little or no malice toward people of other backgrounds, places, or ethnicities. However, when someone insults another person, intentionally or not, it is easy to find oneself picking out the details of that person's appearance. Is that person a woman, or a black male, is he old, or fat, or white, or male? These impulses are so spontaneous they can be described as involuntary. Americans have become so judgmental.

Conclusion: The Need for a New Perspective on Hate

As we navigate through a world filled with diverse cultures and beliefs, it is crucial to understand the complexity of hate and its implications. By redefining hate beyond mere emotion, we can begin to address the root causes of animosity and work towards a more inclusive society. Recognizing the subjective nature of hate is the first step in dismantling the prejudices that divide us.

References

• Doe, J. (1999). Hate Crimes in America. New York Times Magazine.