On September 11, 2001, The United States experienced an attack which set in motion what would later be known as The War in Afghanistan and The War in Iraq. The terrorist attack also prompted fear and hatred for anyone who may be mistaken as being middle eastern. Some of this fear and hate has dissipated, while some has elevated into more of a color based hate of white against non-whites. I write these words not to instigate more hate in a nation already divided, but to ask all people to remember that we are humans first.

There are many kind people in this world. The ones who, like me, will stop and help an older person walk down tricky steps, regardless of race, or the types of people who get off the elevator to make room for a mom and her children. There are people like Oprah, Bill Gates, and Chris Long who use their money and celebrity status to provide opportunities for many around the globe. Unfortunately, there are also many people, such as politicians and public servants who, by their actions and words, are teaching others that it is justified to be unkind to others. This needs to stop.

For all of us parents and people who spend time teaching or caring for children, we can continue to lead by example. We can continue to be kind to the people we come in contact with and we can continue to speak up for the women, children, and others of the world who are being treated unkindly or worse.

 

I don’t have all of the answers on how to make the world full of rainbows and unicorns. I don’t know how to reverse the pollution we have caused, nor do I know how to provide clean drinking water or the freedom to vote to every human on the planet. What I do know is that we are all humans. That is a bond that we all share, regardless of our color, religious beliefs, or backgrounds. Regardless if you are a mom playing in the US Open, fighting for equal standards for women, or you’re the guy at the sandwich shop telling racist jokes, can we just decide to be kind to others before things get worse?  We live on a planet in which people have fought and died for their beliefs. Our history shows that this never ends well for either side.

As we remember the ones who died on 9/11 and all of the military, firefighters, and law enforcement officers who protect us daily, can we also start to speak up for the ones who are being treated unjustly and start encouraging each other to show more kindness? Please?