The Age of Hate

Hate is something that has been ever-present throughout history. It has fuelled some of the darkest periods and days in existence, and it is something we still seem unable to break free of in modern society.

For such a beautiful world, we are so full of hate.

Hate echoes and bounces off every surface, through every street; intolerance seeping into our cities, invading our lives and homes. Day by day, hate and intolerance seem to become ever more present, dividing nations and communities, families and friends. 

The art of hate has become big business. People seem to not only be given the platform, but the means to become ‘professional trolls’ spreading intolerance like a disease. They thrive off their seeming desire to be the most outrageous, the most divisive; invading the internet, our television screens, newspapers, magazines and streets with their attack on everything and everyone. It becomes more than opinion, it becomes an assault. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, they are entitled to dislike something or someone, they are allowed to disagree. We will never all be the same and nor should we be. However, there comes a point where opinion transitions into hate and slander, where it becomes an attack on a person, a group, a culture, an idea. The old adage, “I’m not racist BUT”, “I’m not homophobic BUT”, “I’m not being rude BUT”. That is not to say that people aren’t entitled to freedom of speech, that is a basic human right, but with that freedom of speech comes a responsibility to realise the difference between your human right to freely express your opinion without censorship, and hate speech deliberately meant to provoke and to incite hate.

It has become so easy to spread hate, to direct it at individuals and for it to permeate every aspect of life. Trolls are no longer those mythical beings that lurk beneath bridges, but everyday humans who lurk in the shadows of the internet waiting to pounce on everything and anyone. It has become too easy to belittle someone online, to call names and attack someone’s character with abusive language; be they acquaintances, strangers or celebrities, once you are behind a screen it seems so easy to tap away at a keyboard and attack. For many, there are few consequences. It is like the internet is an alternate reality and they forget that at the other end of a screen is a living, breathing human-being, with emotions and feelings, no matter who they are.

But how has this become the case? How has hate become so prominent? We have become so used to hate existing within our society we are almost blinkered to it, accepting of it. It has become commonplace. But what do you expect when our politicians incite hatred to further their career, creating ‘enemies’ where there are none. When news channels give air-time to those looking to cause division within our society.

Hate is something that has become deeply ingrained in society and the media has a large part to play in it. Tabloids and their inflammatory headlines, their desire to make a story no matter the cost. Their constant assault on the personal and private lives of everyone, from the famous to everyday citizens. They are the self-appointed moral compass of society, reigning their judgement down from their ivory tower. They have created a culture that exists amongst each echelon of our society: an overwhelming desire to build someone up only to tear them back down. To be jealous of others success and revel in their failures.

The thing is we’re attracted to it. There is this view that hate and negativity sells better than love, kindness and success. The thing that brings hope is that, despite this age of hate and its abundance in society, despite the ‘keyboard warriors’ and antagonists of this world, there are in equal measures the inspirational, the kind, the caring and the successful. The cheerleaders and good Samaritans of this world, that quietly go about their business making the world a better place.

The Greta Thunberg’s and Tarana Burke’s of the world who are fighting to save our planet or fighting for victims of sexual abuse. The everyday heroes fighting to end racism, homophobia, nationalism, hate. The people who support one another, who delight in each others success and pick people back up when they fail. No human being is perfect, we are all flawed. So what gives us the right to judge and discriminate against one another?

Let’s show each other love not hate. Let’s cheer each other on, be happy for one another and wish each other well. We are all different. We don’t all look the same or have the same interests, we don’t always share opinions or have the same beliefs, and that’s okay. We’re allowed to be different, we’re allowed to disagree; but it’s important that we respect each other, we listen to each other and we learn from another. There is so much more that unites us than divides us. The world is drowning in hate, but we can overcome this. We are better than this. 

It may be the age of hate but it doesn’t need to be.