Be angry, but not at an entire race

By Linda Sherwood

During this painful time for the country, because I am a reporter, I have spent most of the last few days away from my family. Wednesday morning I kept my children home from school so I could hug them before I had to leave for work. I have spent the majority of the past few days talking to people about their experiences on Tuesday. What I've heard is tales of love, patriotism and community spirit.

I spoke to a woman stranded at an airport in Memphis and all she could do was rave about the people in that community who came out and offered whatever they could to the stranded passengers. They brought diapers, formula, chocolate and licorice to passengers. They offered their homes, a warm meal and someone to talk to.

As I listened to what these people in Memphis did for strangers, my heart swelled with pride and my eyes watered. This is one of the many things that is great about this country.

On Tuesday I watched in horror and couldn't believe that someone could harbor that much hate in their hearts for Americans. I still can't. Today I was horrified in another way as I saw that initial hate bore more hate in someone I've come to know. Be angry at the individuals who did this. Be angry about being made to feel afraid. But don't hate like these people had hated. Don't allow them to teach you to hate a population you don't know. Don't let them win. The answer to hate isn't more hate.

You have the right to express your opinion and you have the right to be angry. That's what America is all about. But it saddens me greatly to see someone I care about express bigotry against people you don't even know.

I happen to belong to the race and am from the same state of a man who took nearly 200 lives in Oklahoma. Yet you didn't condemn me because of his actions. Don't dismiss the comparison. It's just as valid as the one you made. I implore you to look into your heart and place the anger where it belongs. On individuals, not an entire race. Because if any race deserves to be condemned for atrocities committed against another, it is the one that I belong to.

This is a time for reflection and discussion. It's a time to come together as a nation and celebrate what makes us strong: our freedoms, our diversity, our strength and our patriotism. Hate can come in all shapes and forms, but don't let it enter you.

Our government is set up to allow its citizens to protest against it, and to gather and speak up against it. It's one of the great things about this nation. It's what makes us strong.

About the author: Linda Sherwood is a writer and journalist.