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Homage to Lawrence King. Teach Tolerance To Adults and Children

Love Not Hate

copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

“The opposite of love is not hate; it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness; it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy; it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death; it's indifference.” ~ Elie Wiesel

It was February 14, 2008, Valentine's Day. Love was in the air. However, the expressions of appreciation offered were mournful. Doctors informed the family and his friends, Lawrence King, 15, was removed from life support. Two days earlier, young Larry was in the computer lab at E. O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, California. He sat with 24 other students when Brandon McInerney walked into the room with a gun. The armed classmate, fourteen-years of age, approached Lawrence with intent. Brandon aimed his weapon, pulled the trigger, and shot Lawrence in the head. Without hesitation, the shooter ran from the building. Circumstances led observers and police officers to conclude the act was intentional, calculated, and a conscious choice. Brandon committed what is commonly defined as a "hate crime."

Iraq, Israel, Lebanon; Trees of Life in a Wilderness of War. ©

Our countrymen see the diseased and devastated trees and speak of the color of the leaves. People in the United States ponder the slow death of the foliage. They think caterpillars are the cause. Others, here and abroad dispute this theory and say, “No, it is blight.” A scientist enters the scene and voices his hypothesis. His neighbor started the spread of this syndrome; yes, that man is to blame. Had the national not introduced the dynamic of destruction, all would be well.

Another quiet dissenter enters the fray. She says, “This virus has existed for centuries.” No one can change what is and has always been. A group gathers and grows. They all argue amongst themselves. Finally, there is a loud explosion, or was it an implosion. The tree and all those surrounding it are engulfed in flames. Within minutes, there is silence. This world exists no more.

For well over a week now I have witnessed the whirlwind of discussions, disagreements, and dialogues pertaining to rhetoric, religion, and rage. People are discussing the crisis in Lebanon and Israel.