Headlines filling airtime on national news seem to have inspired a common theme on social media this week, and that theme is hate.

Of course, this is not a recent development. Often, the “sexiest” headlines are the ones that, at best, elicit discussion, and, at worst, evoke discriminatory practices.

The beauty of living in this country is that we have the fundamental right to speak our minds. The downfall of having that right is that not everyone who utilizes it has pure intentions.

It seems every other status update on social media is casting judgment on Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn) for her decision to follow what she believes was her destiny — to become a woman.

The other half of posts are split two ways: some supporting a young man who is suing his school district for praying, and some scrutinizing him for not participating.

I see these posts, and I can’t help but wonder what the point of all of it is. Of course, discussion and discourse pave the path to finding solutions, but when that path is shattered with putdowns and hate speech, where does it really lead us?

Don’t get me wrong. I truly believe in the power of fighting the good fight, and when a cause is worthy of the time and energy to find a solution, I wholeheartedly support people arguing until they’re blue in the face.

But only when these solutions will lead to a result that benefits the greater good.

In a country where hundreds of thousands don’t have a consistent roof over their heads, where children go to bed hungry, where good people struggle to find work, why are we focusing on subjects that impact such a small percentage of people?

We need to learn to pick our battles, and we need to choose our weapons wisely.

Too many people believe that the strongest defense is a spiteful tongue.

We fight with flared tempers and expect a positive outcome. We attack the people who believe differently than us, and somehow believe our opponents will accept our disdain with open arms. We back our beliefs with empty truths and concepts that are not universally accepted, and when that doesn’t work, we resort to name-calling, or worse: acts of violence.

We fight with anger, and we wonder why the battle never seems to be won.

I don’t expect every argument to end in a solution that makes everyone happy, and I’m not naïve enough to believe that everyone will fall into the practice of positivity, but wouldn’t the world be a better place if we stopped to celebrate not only ourselves, but our peers? What would happen if we mended that path shattered with bitterness with acceptance of others?

Suddenly, we would find a new direction.

Instead of berating a human being for following her own desires, we can accept the fact that while we may not understand her situation, we can commend her for her bravery to pursue this need despite the backlash she knew was coming.

Instead of being angry that a school chooses to pray before sporting events, we can celebrate the fact that this young man has the right to abstain from these prayers.

In a world with no shortage of important issues to sort out, it is your right to choose how to handle these debates: Do we hate, or do we celebrate?

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email, at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com