Even with the best of intentions and the friendliest of attitudes, we cannot escape this phenomena. It's not new, it will not fade in the future. We have to live with it, focusing on it isn't healthy either. Is denying its presence any better? People need a release. However one person being unkind to another, then the victim being harsh to another and so on creates a multiple effect of unkind acts. Likewise acts of kindness do create a multiple effect of kind acts. It's always a struggle between this or that. Is harmony, or neutrality or balance or indifference what we should strive for?
Some people get seriously bitter and lead lives that are not to be proud of due to how they have been treated by others. Some people never lose hope however much bad they've been treated, and attempt to be nice to others expecting the same in return. Others though having had pleasurable circumstances behave bad to others and love taking advantage of ill treated individuals and give them more of a hard time. Anyone who seems too kind or innocent is a victim to be dominated to any predator. taking advantage of people's kindness is a terrible thing to do, but it happens everyday. Sometimes its just personality, some people are a certain way from their small days, they do not grow up and realise they are doing bad. Someone once said that we do not change as we grow older, but we become more clearly ourselves.
Sometimes education can cure certain stupid behavious such as racism. Understanding history and colonialism, toturing people, and the concepts of neo-colonialism opens the eyes of people. But these are not taught to the masses like maths and English, it remains a niche sector that you have to randomly stumble upon if you are lucky.
Most people are in love with themselves more or less and think that they are the center of the universe. What ever they do and say is justified and other people are wrong. That they are something special. Everyone is special and unique, nobody is extra special as such. And if you are justified to act and say what you do, then you should try a little to not be a hypocrite and understand why the other people are saying and behaving the way they do. There is no denying that certain words and acts are unacceptable, however I'm not talking about those. I'm referring to differences in opinion and stupid misunderstandings as a result of being unable to understand someone else.
People think from their point of view, which is sad. Even when they are told something they don't understand it and/or forget it and still end up behaving in a ridiculous way or be surprised because they still see through their eyes.
It is important to listen, just as it is important to talk. However listening is done less, and talking is done more. Everyone is dying to talk about themselves and don't listen enough.
Stereotyping is the norm, you are brown so you must be this. You are white so you must be that. What the?! Whatever happened to individuality?
People lead different lives. It is important to realize that A could never really understand B simply cos A did not lead B's life. So why pass judgment? People need to grow up and get out of their self obsession and open their eyes to things. There is no togetherness, is there? everyone is out there for themselves more or less. They are misguided, and are all out in some competition about having to say the smartest things, being the prettiest and what not.
Maybe people are hard wired to be the way they are. A caring person could become a more caring person. But an abuser couldn't transform to suddenly be an understanding loving person.
Is it a war against you and the world when you deal with people? Maybe, maybe not.
