Where's the Love?

Over the past few weeks, I think I've realized what the hardest part of this summer has proven to be. That is the amount of hatred and judgement that I have been surrounded by since I've been home.


For example, my mother was reading an article about this woman who was visiting her son in prison. Her son was sentenced 95 years in prison for murder and attempted murder. This woman is in a wheelchair and before she can go in to visit her son, the police officers make her switch wheelchairs. Having worked with people who are handicapped, I can understand how frustrating getting in and out of wheelchairs can be. This woman expressed her complaints about this protocol and it was quoted in an online news article.


Not only is there hatred in the crime that this woman's son has committed, but as I overheard my mother reading the comments on the article aloud in the other room, I realized how much hatred there is in people toward this woman and her son. This hatred was found in my mother as well. So many people commented on this story calling this woman "stupid" and saying that she had no right to complain because her son had committed a crime, murder nonetheless. There were people who commented attacking her success as a parent because her son ended up in prison for a crime that she had no attachment to as if she was at fault for her son committing that murder.


These comments made me sick. There was so much hatred flowing out of those words. Not only did the comments make me sick, but my mother's reaction to these comments saddened me as well. She agreed with every one of the comments and suggested that the site mail what these people had written to the woman and son. Why? No idea. Isn't this world filled with enough hate as it is? Do we really need to add to it? I can honestly say that I am saddened by the actions of these people and the words that were spoken. It all brings me back to the lyrics of the song "Where is the Love?" by the Black Eyed Peas.


What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA fightin'
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Sing wit me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That's all we got
(One world, one world)

It's this kind of reciprocated hate for hate that leads us down a path of destruction. This kind of hate leads people straight into depression, suicide, self-mutilation, eating disorders, and into even more hate. People's hearts become hardened to each other and soon it becomes almost impossible to learn to really love again.

I'm on a mission to do the almost impossible and really love the way that God has loved me. I would love for some people to come and walk beside me and show some compassion for this world- for the ones we love, for the ones we dislike, for everyone who loves us, for everyone who hates us, for everyone we know, and for every one we don't know. People all around this world need the love of Christ. Let's do our best to show them what it's all about. 


Whether we're friends or enemies, no matter what you've done (good or bad) in this life, I love you because God loved me first.


A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34)


But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28)


Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14)


We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12)


Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21)


Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9)


Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble (1 John 2:9-10)