Hate is a lack of heart. 

Hate is the result of violent unchecked rhetoric. It starts with talk and grows in environments where it is fed. 

We feed hate online every microsecond of the day. through political “discourse” through disagreement, through disconnection. We other, belittle, bemoan our individualistic beliefs, and believe ourselves better. 

We tell you we don’t care about the things that bring you life, we tell you your soul is meaningless and never blink an eye. We speak to you as though you are not human, not like us, not of us. 

No one tells you that your words reek of loathing, lividity, all hate. No one you care about anyway. They speak beside you, in resounding agreement. They sit silently, and keep their thoughts deep inside. They listen, and allow you to think you have found it, the answer, the way, the cause of it all. You talk of hate, and cannot hear it. It’s become a disturbing power you parade pridefully around. 

Hate is apathy, then malice, and then hostility on display. It is thought, then word, then action all unquestioned. It is isolation, echo chambers, them, not us – not me. It is, “I don’t cares,” absolute disregard, and dangerous policy. 

Hate is not a mental illness. 

It is not an excuse for inexcusable behavior. It is not an acceptable reason why someone can do unspeakable acts. Hate is not a banner of permission or an invisible disease. It screams its presence and brings the whole of humanity to its knees. Hate is not incurable, allowable, ineffably okay. It isn’t genetic, chromosomal, or neurologically sound. Hate should only ever be shutdown. 

Hate is not a mental illness but a disease of the heart. One that might have needed love, understanding, compassion, or unhesitating accountability. One that may have been found broken, without form or consequence, one that never cared to come together across all reasons. One we may not be able to save, or even understand. Except that we know one will taint countless others, for while hate may not be an illness, it spreads like one nonetheless. 

Hate is what happened in one, to get us all here. 

No matter what they try to say about hate, it is NOT a mental illness. But it is a human illness, one that grows within a human heart.