I agree with your points on declaration and silence. History shows that appeasement of intolerance empowers it; and silence, as we say, implies consent. The resurgence of hate groups, masquerading as they do as heritage or pride, must be met with strength and resolve.

I do, however, believe hate can be fought with love — but perhaps my definitions are different. To me, “love” doesn’t mean compliance or submission or weakness. As a martial arts and self-defense trainer, I will fight to defend myself and others. But I don’t have to hate my opponent to oppose him. In fact, strong emotions reduce the ability to fight — physical or verbal. Whether my goal is to influence the thinking or defend myself against “the enemy”, I must, as Sun Tzu writes, understand him. Ironically, once I elect to hate someone, loathsome as their actions may be, I make them harder to beat, not easier.

To love my opponent, I have to care enough to engage and influence his view and actions with a goal of converting him to my side. If that fails, to love my opponent is to stand in opposition to him as an example without retreat with a goal of inspiring his change of heart. If that fails, to love my opponent is to battle him with the minimal force required to stop his aggression with a goal of preventing his harm to others. If he’s strong, the minimal force must be stronger.

Love is patient, kind, and the rest — and it is strong, resilient, and the most powerful force in life. What love is not is weak, nor does it involve allowing anyone, particularly minorities, be victims to hatred.

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    Chris Altizer MBA MA

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    Aspiring artist - martial, diving, yoga, humans. Helping executive & teams mindfully integrate performance & wellness with @AnneWAltizer