Has Hate Has Gone Mainstream?

 “Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” —Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

While there are many challenges in our country, I believe the most fundamental is the decline in kindness, respect, humility, and decency in how we treat others. Much of it is related to politics, but not exclusively. Expressing hatred toward others has become increasingly acceptable, threatening the well-being of Americans and the future of our special country. Dehumanizing others impacts personal health and relationships, while teaching our children unhealthy behaviors. 

While kindness is still around, most people would agree that there is less of it than there used to be. I remember television’s Mr. Fred Rogers telling children to be kind to one another, but many think it is perfectly OK these days to demean other people. Disrespect and distrust are impacting schools, workplaces and public spaces. Rudeness on our highways is one example. 

Author Kurt Vonnegut observes, “Hate, in the long run, is about as nourishing as cyanide.” I love the hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me.” We sometimes think of peace in the abstract, but those lyrics bring it close to home, putting the obligation on me to treat others with dignity and respect.  

But what does dignity and respect look like in a practical way? It starts with being more aware of how we think and talk about others, including people with different political opinions. That sounds simple, but I know it is not always easy. One great resource is the national organization Braver Angels (braverangels.org) which has many free workshops online and across the country.  

We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!   

PS For more, see my latest NH Business Review column:  Love Your Enemies -- Has Hate Gone Mainstream?   https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2026/05/08/?article=4393529