Ok this is something for you to think about: What if we loved perpetrators as much as we loved their victims?
My minor in university is Canadian Studies which is an interdisciplinary subject. Through it I have taken environmental studies, Indigenous studies, women/gender studies, literature, and history classes.
Right from first year, my Canadian Studies classes have all been about what is wrong with Canada. I have noticed a lot of anger. Everyone sees something different that upsets them, something that they want to change. It might be racism, sexism, poverty, global warming, pollution...you name it...it seems that everyone is sad and mad about something.
Here's a thought though: why does everyone always immediately jump to blaming? We blame white people, men, rich people, industries, institutions, and governments...you name it...everyone is blaming someone.
What no one seems to be doing is trying to figure out why people do the bad things they do. Why do certain races of people take advantage of other races of people? Why do men abuse women? Why do the rich not share with the poor? Why do industries care more about money than the environment? Why are institutional and governmental leaders failing to lead responsibly? Maybe things would change if, instead of yelling at people for what they do and do not do, we took a minute and listened to why they do what they do. What is motivating their actions? Fear? Anger? Ignorance? I'm starting to wonder if people need to change in order for the world to change and if hearts need to change in order for people to change. People need love. I'm not just talking about victims of racism, sexism, poverty, and environmental issues needing love, I'm talking about PERPETRATORS needing love. It's just a thought.
It's just a thought, but I know that sometimes (ok a lot of times) I do things I shouldn't or I don't do things I should. I am a perpetrator. I don't stand up when one person is being mean to another. I am not generous with my money. I do not reach out to the friendless. I am guilty, but I am guilty because I am angry, because I am afraid, because I am selfish, because my heart needs to be loved so that it can change, so that it can love.
If someone just yells at me "You are guilty! You must change yourself to change the world, because it is all your fault!" I will either cry or yell, because inside I will be thinking, I am wrong because I am angry, scared, and selfish and I don't know how to change myself, so I don't know how to change the world, so there is no hope. I have been loved, even though the darkness of the world was in me too, and despite the fact that I too am a perpetrator. This love is the only reason that I feel hope, it is the only reason I can over come fear to love others.
Just thinking aloud.
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