Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.
The opposite of love isn't hatred. The opposite of love is fear.
And fear is a dangerous thing, a thing that causes us to hate, a thing that
causes us to lash out and do harm. Racism-- and every sort of prejudice that
exists-- is steeped in fear. Fear's voice is anger, and violence. However,
in the end, fear is weaker than love. Love will always win.
Sometimes, living here with the animals, I feel like I'm in a sort of
bubble. I go days without watching the news or checking social media, not
from disinterest, but only because there is so much to do. My days are long,
and at the end of the day, I'm often too tired to enquire about the world
around me. So, it was a few days before I caught up with what's happening
out there, in the world. I scrolled through article after article, each one
uncovering even more horrific violence, hatred, and pain. I watched videos
of atrocities captured on people's cell phones. I watched armed officers
sworn to protect and serve standing by while unspeakable violence was
carried out by one of their own in the name of justice.
And I also saw videos of officers taking a knee with great sorrow and great
love; and of people of all skin colors working together, peacefully raising
their voices for liberty and justice for all. I learned of people on the
streets helping their neighbors to pick up the pieces of their shattered
windows and broken dreams. I saw the elderly and the children working
together, comforting one another, and lighting the way for love.
To my brothers and sisters who have had violence and injustice
forced upon them, who have been marginalized repeatedly, to those whose
children are taught to temper their hopes and give up their dreams, I am
listening. I feel your pain. I cry with you. I mourn with you. I stand by
you...with you. Your tears will be my tears, and your heartbreak will be
mine. I will carry this load with you.
Because we can continue to live in ignorance, in the illusion that there is
something to fear in the differences between us. Or, we can choose to love
our brothers and sisters of all walks of life-- to understand that we are so
much more connected than we are different.
I choose love.
What if we all pledged to do this? What if each of us found the place in our
hearts-- the core part of us-- that remembers our interconnectedness? What
if we use this unbearable ugliness and darkness to bring us together? And
what if we intentionally light each other's way, so that none of us need to
be in darkness anymore?
Race doesn't exist. Skin color is just a color. We humans are beautiful and
rich in our diversity. We have been given so many gifts to enjoy, not the
least among them learning from, laughing with, and growing because of each
other.
What are your gifts? How are you using them to light another's way, to
banish fear, and to embrace love? Can you offer a meal to someone who is
hungry? Can you play a song to ease a grieving heart? Can you teach a child
the value of diversity? Can you reach out with compassion to someone you
fear may have wronged you? I'd be so grateful if you'd reply to this note to
tell me what you are doing to show solidarity, right wrongs, and engender
hope.
My friends, let's band together, with love, and spread the light of
compassion to every corner. For where love exists, fear will be banished,
and hope will prevail.
In solidary, and with great reverence,
Indra Lahiri
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