BECOMING GENUINE DAILY

"Snap"

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him."
--Booker T. Washington

"Hate punishes love."
--Abbe Yeux-verdi

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered Columbine High School April 20, 1999 and gunned down 12 students and one teacher before committing suicide. What followed was a sparked debate over the role video games play in the creation and escalation of violence. "The Matrix" entered theaters the previous month and also fell under the microscope of parent groups and politicians. Although the memories of this day are slowly slipping from my mind, a song continues to stay with me: "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park. My sister owns Hybrid Theory, the album this song is part of, and I remember her listening to it shortly after the shootings. Anguished and equally upset, I walked into my sister's room and expressed my disdain for the song, surprised the anger failed to phase her emotions. What surprises me is that seven years have passed and I truly enjoy this song...the beat is catchy and the lyrics are potent. But when I contemplate  the words in light of Columbine, the parallels become clearer. Hate lives inside everyone. Many keep it caged well; others vocalize it through music, film and books. And still others allow it to build up. They tuck it away, but it festers, itches, swells. And a solitary word or action push them past the breaking point.

Coincidentally, as I write this article two films focusing on hate are headed to theaters. The first is "Death Sentence", directed by James Wan. Kevin Bacon portrays Nick Hume, a father willing to do whatever it takes to avenge his murdered son. The second film is "The Brave One", directed by Neil Jordan. Jodie Foster portrays Erica, a wife consumed with revenge after her husband is beaten to death. Notice the key words in the aforementioned statements: "avenge" and "revenge". While unique in spelling, the definitions are identical. Each film is distinct and yet similar too, blurring the line. Does society applaud vigilantes? Each asks the quintessential question: "How far will you go?" "The Boondock Saints" (1999), directed by Troy Duffy, asked this complex question at the film's close. The story follows two brothers who decide it's time to wipe out the Russian mob and Italian Mafia in Boston, believing this mission is directed by God. As the credits begin to roll, average citizens are asked if the brothers' actions are justified. Many think God is responsible for justice, others are indifferent, and some cheer the boys on.

Brian Garfield, the author of Death Wish and author of the novel that inspired "Death Sentence", (also a 1974 film by the same title starring Charles Bronson) states, "People are just sort of simmering with the kind of anger that they can't really define, and this kind of movie gives them some kind of release." But what exactly is this "anger" Garfield alludes to? Is it anger that criminals are wrongfully released, back on the streets? Is it anger women and children are victims of violent crimes? Or is it anger society feels helpless in responding from time to time? Each plays a role at one point or another. And society singles out those who respond, lifting them up. In my belief, it comes as no surprise Batman is a celebrated hero. In fact, the original "Batman", (1989), directed by Tim Burton, was on television this afternoon. As Bruce Wayne prepares to track down the Joker, Vicki Vale is escorted into the bat cave by Alfred, discovering the true identity of the Dark Knight. Rightfully confused, she asks Wayne, "Why do you have to do this?" Pausing briefly, he replies, "Because nobody else can."

A good friend commented on the Middle East last year through two articles. He composed these think pieces as "Syriana" (2005) and "Munich" (2005) grabbed audience attention. He penned a phrase I will never forget: "reactive reciprocity leaves everyone dead." I understand this phenomenon better as I stayed up to 1 A.M. recently watching a CNN special entitled "God's Warriors". Six hours in length, the segments outline the similarities and dramatic differences between Christ followers, Jews, and Muslims. Chief international correspondent Christine Amanpour captures the animosity between Jews and Muslims well. I discovered in deeper detail the sustained feud heavily resides in who has claim to the West Bank. And unfortunately, diplomacy never seems to resolve this bloody problem...revenge is the chief motivation, for each despise one another. Consider this passage in the Torah. In Leviticus 19:18, God speaks to Moses and states, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." While this command sounds like the teaching of Jesus, stricter Pharisees believed it implied this additional teaching: "Hate your enemy."

In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon writes repeatedly on the subject of adultery and the calamity it creates. The reason for "healthy" jealously is simple--love. Husbands are jealous for a wife's love, a son's love, a daughter's love. And when someone steals this love permanently through adultery (and crime), emptiness consumes the heart and hate gains traction. Solomon writes, "For jealously arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge." Jesus invites the willing to love their enemies. The simplicity and intensity of this teaching fall on deaf ears over and over, but it remains nonetheless. For many, God is synonymous with goodness and love. But understanding he hates specific behavior is a vexing thought to ponder. Incidentally, society scorns individuals who engage in these particular practices too: pride, lying, murder, extortion and trouble making. 

"To End All Wars" (2001), directed by David Cunningham, truly outlines the action of loving one's enemies. This particular film follows the true story of Ernest Gordon and three other Allied POW's who endure deep mistreatment from their Japanese captors during World War II. This is a far cry from efforts on both sides during this hellish conflict. Surrenders were few and far between; soldiers acted as both the judge and the jury, rarely granting mercy. But I wonder how much hate truly existed. The enlisted answered the country's call and they stepped forward to serve bravely, unaware of the mental anguish it takes to extinguish the life of another. Corporal Upham's tears and temporary disillusionment come to mind in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg. As I consider the present Middle East though, hatred is better pronounced. It's becoming difficult to peruse the headlines without a story on suicide bombing dotting the news lineup. And while the United States has numerous problems and is hated by many, I will not live anywhere else. I love my country very much.

Kevin Bacon recently commented on his character in "Death Sentence": "At the end you don't see the hero step out into the sunlight and the music swells and he's triumphed. He really is broken. Everything he cares about he has destroyed by picking up a sword." I would surmise Jodie Foster echoes a similar sentiment on her character's destiny. Robert the Bruce's father, inching nearer to death, thinks he has words of wisdom for his son in "Braveheart" (1995), directed by Mel Gibson. He states, "At last, you know what it means to hate. Now you're ready to be a king." Opening the chamber door, calm and firm in his tone, Robert replies, "My hate...will die with you." This exchange represents the nature of men and women, creatures capable of sacrificial love and scathing hate. And unfortunately, many Christ followers are tagged with this moniker of hate. While few will continually perpetuate this label, many will respond with humble words, a helping hand, a moment of kindness without desire for compensation. English duo Peter & Gordon capture these actions best with a 1964 tune: "I don't care what they say, I won't stay in a world without love."

References:

Halbfinger, David M. "Unease in the Air and Revenge on the Screen."
The New York Times, August 31, 2007.

"Panorama"

"When I counted up my demons, saw there was one for every day.  With the good ones on my shoulders, I drove the other ones away."
--Coldplay, "Everything's Not Lost"

"When we don't know who to hate, we hate ourselves."
--Chuck Palahniuk

"Mission: Impossible 2", directed by John Woo, arrived in theaters the summer of 2000.  While the film lacks the gripping story of its predecessor, the stunt sequences quickly captured audience attention.  I was drawn to the melody of the opening frames; the well-known "Mission: Impossible" theme played in the background and gradually unfurled into the opening credits.  But through a quick search, I discovered the song was actually a remix entitled "Take a Look Around" by Limp Bizkit.  I pondered the lyrics and discovered the last two lines of the chorus sadly echo reality, whether one is willing to admit it or not: "Now I know why you want to hate me, cause hate is all the world has ever seen lately."  Checking the headlines on a daily basis, I discover affirmation of this statement.  And while it seems the concentration of hate lies in the Middle East, this mindset crosses all geographical boundaries.  Hate resides in Sudan, India, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States...its presence lingers around the globe.

What leads men and women into hate?  Is it jealously or feelings of superiority, greed or indifference, betrayal or religion?  Perhaps each plays a role from time to time.  But perhaps it is a deeper dilemma, a feeling, a belief within.  Everyone seems to know the world is off base, wounded, hurting.  The Scriptures speak about the first man and woman in the Garden, at peace, enjoying shalom with God.  But evil lurks and appears as a snake.  He invites the man and woman to eat fruit from the restricted tree, stating, "You will be like God, knowing good and evil."  And so they eat, aware they are nude, now ashamed of a body no longer clothed.  Accordingly, they are exiled from the Garden.  And thus begins the tumultuous journey of humanity.  "Hate" first appears in Joseph's story, a boy who dreams he will rule over his family members.  A Hebrew word for "hate" is satam and means "bear a grudge".  Another translation reads, ironically, "to cherish animosity against".  And notice the new word if the last letter of satam is changed to "n".  Satan is comically stereotyped and humorously portrayed in cartoons, but he is generally regarded as the complete manifestation of evil, the being humanity associates hatred with.  In fact, "Bedazzled" (2000), directed by Harold Ramis, presents Satan as a tempting female as Elizabeth Hurley portrays the prince of darkness.  And another question lingers too: as an angel, can he take human form?

The web is a primary resource to vocalize hate and the vigilant have maximized its exposure; top results in searches include the definition of "hate" in Wikipedia, a band simply known as HATE, a directory of hate groups listed on the web, and individual websites devoted to hating homosexuals, men, women, Google, Starbucks, clowns and television commercials, to name a handful.  Other top results include sites passionate about advancing tolerance and dialogue, incidentally remedies of the aforementioned sites.  Hate is the foundation of wars.  I call to mind the Civil War and cannot escape the lament it invokes.  Regions drew battle lines, clashed, and families were torn apart; brothers became enemies.  And a soldier's words continue to stay with me: "I killed my brother with malice in my heart."  This nation also carries the scars of racism, the ignorant mistake a man's skin color makes him less human.  But through numerous struggles and the efforts of steadfast leaders, notably Martin Luther King Jr., healing is continuing to take place.

Jesus makes a bold statement during his teaching: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."  This is a far cry from the man who instructed his followers to love their enemies and forgive without cessation.  But as I consider hate further, this jarring statement seems clearer.  Jesus incited his critics to kill him multiple times because of his teaching.  Willingly giving himself up, he perished by the "sword" they brandished, the cross.  What follows in history are multiple occasions of misguided direction in the name of God, the name of Jesus.  The Inquisition and the Crusades quickly come to mind, along with the Salem witch trials, slavery, and the current jihad being waged by Muslim fundamentalists.  What's unsettling and tragic about these particular instances are the followers, the willing who actually believe they are correct, perhaps blinded by the leadership of a select few.  And manipulating holy text from the Scriptures (as well as the Koran) imposes the will of man over God's; what follows is unnecessary bloodshed and widespread cynicism.  And what if Jesus himself is a "sword" too?  Who has created more interest, passion, friction and division among people than Jesus when one looks at history?

I find it easier, like others, to hate people and not the act that underscores the deep disdain I exhibit.  For instance, I utterly despise rape.  But when I first started understanding this concept years ago, my disgust rested exclusively with the perpetrator.  As time continues to unfold, I know understanding why people engage in this practice will be a futile exercise.  Understanding why children are forcefully placed in sex trades is beyond me.  My hope is deciding to exercise the words of Jesus and choosing to forgive, a practice that is never simple.  On occasion, hate is simply masking temporary anger, a moment or moments of dislike.  Children tend to say "I hate you" to a parent one time or another and embrace mom or dad with a hug ten minutes later.  Teenagers use this phrase constantly, but again, anger in the moment leads to words soon regretted.  Society downplays the power of words, but "hate" is hard to restrain as it's loaded with emotional punch, potency.

While it seems trite to even mention, love is the antithesis of hate and trumps its presence.  A passage in the Torah reads, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  Jesus comments on this text and commissions the listening ears to pray for their enemies.  He later states, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?"  Perhaps he is critiquing one's circle of friends.  In other words, disregarding strangers is foolish.  Friends were once strangers.  In fact, millions of individuals attend church on a weekly basis, sharing seats with others who share the same beliefs.  But they continue to live as strangers, hesitant to leave room for another.  I am part of this tendency, but hope, in good time, I will make efforts to move beyond this strange phenomenon and cherish the power of community.  The willing risk image or comfort and expand the circle.  And in this circle of authentic transparency and vulnerability, selfless love exists and true relationships are forged.

When I look at the world, sorrow consumes my heart from time to time.  Men and women continually hurt one another.  Friends hurt one another.  Nations hurt one another.  The shootings at Virginia Tech University is a recent example that comes to mind.  I see casualties in Iraq on what seems to be a daily basis, additional deaths in Darfur, and the recent shootings in Newark, New Jersey.  But I also know love blankets this earth and its presence is spread on a daily basis.  These acts of true love are not reported in the local news, but the recipients know.  I am reminded of Beatles wisdom, a song on the Magical Mystery Tour album.  I believe John Lennon may have put it best in 1967 with five words that continue to have significant impact even to this day: "All you need is love."