I wanted to head off a disaster I saw coming. I was frank and tried to explain myself. My words were misconstrued, and the response was hateful and hurtful. The conversation was shared with many, and few to none came to my rescue. Why the lack of support, I wondered. Surely it was a sign that I had done something wrong.
I thought about it over and over again. In trying to explain myself I used strong words and an unpopular opinion, one I still hold today, and one that I believe is positive with regard to good living and good world. Yet, it's an opinion that takes bold courage, vision, understanding of history, and idealism too. It's a broad, big vision for a better world, a world that moves beyond the passive bigotry that exists today.
In time, I tried to explain myself again, but once again, my words were met with anger, hate, and hurt. And again, those aware of the situation stayed silent and unsupportive, yet not hateful. Hmmm, I've thought about this time and again, and still at my deepest place I believe in my point of view here.
In life, this has happened to me many times, and in time, I've been happy that I held on to my beliefs because in time, I've learned that my instincts were right. Could I have expressed myself in a better way? Perhaps, but I am not sorry for sharing my point of view.
As for the hate, I'll respond with as much quiet care and love as I can. I won't push myself into the situation, but recognize that conflicts like these arise and at their best, these conflicts provide an opportunity to learn and eventually improve the people we are. Onward.