The increase in hate speech and hate crimes isn’t just a worrisome effect of the conflict between Israel and the Hamas organization. Hatred is not an uncommon human attribute; how often has one uttered “I hate this or that (food, a task, a color, music)?” That usage, common as it may be, is just verbiage that may reflect a dislike or pet peeve, not the enmity or hostility that leads to violent language and actions against others. Hate speech and hate crimes are exacerbated, even normalized, by endless posts on social media, by elected and former elected leaders and their followers. This is not just unacceptable; it is vile.

Hatred based on a long list of attributes — faith, belief, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, legal status – simply is wrong. We are not born with a hate gene. As the Rodgers and Hammerstein song goes “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear.” Those lyrics were written in 1949, long before the nonstop cable television programs and incessant disinformation on social media platforms that supposedly provide “news” to people today. During the 2011 re-election campaign, I recall a conversation with a grizzled Navy veteran who railed at me about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (American foreign policy is not handled by the Board of Supervisors!). He insisted that I needed to listen to Fox News, as he did all day, every day, and maybe I’d learn what’s really going on in the world. I tried to exit his porch gracefully, and doubted that I would get his vote that year.

More than 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln, in his first Inaugural Address, spoke about “our better angels” that would move us away from violence and toward cooperation and altruism. His appeal did not bear fruit at that time, as the Civil War began barely a month after he spoke those words. But “better angels” may be exactly what is needed today, to move the focus from hatred to one of understanding and acceptance of differences. Too many people spend too much time and energy on perceived differences when that energy could be put to better use addressing our similarities – shared concerns about affordable housing, healthy communities, reducing hunger, better transportation options, more parks and open space, and the cost of living. Building on that foundation would pay dividends for our society and communities, and future generations. Hatred is mired in the past; it doesn’t look forward, and we must change that. Too often, hate speech is not challenged but left to hang in the air, an assault on anyone within earshot. Challenges need not be militant, but simply noted that it’s not a correct approach to perceived differences.

On a more positive note, the Mason District Holiday Town Gathering will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Musical entertainment will feature the Chris Johnson Trio, refreshments, door prizes, and my final State of Mason District Report. All are welcome.

Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.