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Jake, L'il Boy, and Houdini 12/31/2025 6:22:03 AM
My across-the-street neighbor, Jerry, is dog-dad to a two-year old black Rotweiller, Jake, and an eight-month old gray pit mix, L’il Boy. They reside in a large yard with a chain-link fence that keeps them safe but is apparently irresistible to a golden mix puppy who lives down the street and is a Houdini in escaping his own yard and getting into Jerry’s. When Houdini is there, the three of them race around doing zoomies, playing tug-o-war with a now-frayed piece of rope. Houdini and L’i’l boy eventually watch in awe and admiration as Jake attempts to eat the tire Jerry placed in the yard after Jake ate every chew toy known to man in record time. Then all three plop down together for well-deserved naps, secure and safe.
Three colors, three breeds, three ages and they get along. No one told Houdini he should hate Jake for being a Rot mix or run in terror from Li’l Boy because pits are supposed to be killer dogs (what they are …at least in L’il Boy’s case are affection-hogs who love belly rubs more than food…well… maybe the love is tied!)
Which brings me to ask how did humans end up with the not-desirable trait that leads some to hate? I understand the reasoning (if reason has anything to do with this) in “leaders” using hate to obtain power. They see it works and if it works, they don’t care about the morality or the consequences.
What I have NEVER understood is why someone hates another because of color or faith or gender identity. Why they seem to think allowing a trans kid to feel comfortable with their own body somehow wrecks their life. Why should anyone care what anyone else believes (or doesn’t believe) about a possible afterlife as long as that belief doesn’t espouse harming another? Millions throughout centuries have been tortured and put to death because their faith was concerned “wrong”. Millions of people throughout have been tortured and put to death because of their color or ethnicity. And it continues to this day.
The song “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” from South Pacific gives us the simple answer. It’s not genetic. Small children don’t hate their playmates. They might get angry if one of their toys is nicked but they just want the toy back. They don’t care if the kid who took it was Jewish or Catholic or Muslim or Buddhist. Or Chinese or Mexican or African. Or whether the kid was wearing a dress or trousers.
Which brings me to…if you can be taught to hate, you can be taught to tolerate. At some point you you can be taught to love but there are too many people who are so hate-filled they need the progression of tolerance and acceptance before they can understand that love IS possible.
This year when your MAGA uncle is ranting about blacks and Mexicans and Jews and gays, ask him “Why?"
" What harm does it do to your life if you stop hating anyone who isn't white and straight?"
“How does it harm you if the Muslim family originally from Somalia moves in next door to you?”
“How does it harm you if your white cheer-leading daughter goes to the Prom with the black chairman of the chess club?”
“Uncle, you used restrooms that hadn’t been cleaned for years on that trip you took in May. How does it harm you if the person using the pristine restroom in front of you at the high school basketball game happens to be the trans kid who packs your bags at the local grocery?”
“How does it harm you if your neighbor’s son loves cousin Joey and Joey loves him back?”
And then bravely point out the truth…the only harm is inside Uncle’s head.
Be like Jake and L'il Boy and Houdini. Get out there and run around with folks who have different beliefs or a different ethnicity or have made a gender transition. Play some games. Get some exercise (that alone might provide you with a few good endorphins you lack.) Watch with awe and admiration when someone different take on an insurmountable obstacle and crushes it.
Then relax and feel safe. People who are different from you aren’t the problem. Old, misguided beliefs leading to nasty feelings are.
Wishing for all a Love-Filled New Year…and Life !
