Hate is a powerful emotion that can lead to violence and other harmful consequences. But what many people don’t realize is that hate is learned. We are not born hating others. Instead, we learn to hate through our experiences and interactions with others.

One of the most common ways that people learn to hate is through their family and friends. If a child grows up in a household where their parents or other loved ones express hatred towards certain groups of people, that child is more likely to learn to hate those groups as well.

Another way that people learn to hate is through the media. When we are constantly bombarded with negative messages about certain groups of people, it can start to shape our own perceptions of those groups. For example, if we are constantly seeing news stories about crimes committed by members of a certain group, we may start to believe that all members of that group are criminals.

It is important to remember that hate is a choice. We are not powerless victims of our own hatred. We can choose to resist the urge to hate, even if we have been taught to hate.

Here are some things you can do to resist hate:

• Be critical of the information you consume. Don’t blindly accept everything you see or hear in the media. Question the sources of your information and try to find different perspectives on the issues.
• Challenge your own biases. We all have biases, but it’s important to be aware of them and to challenge them. When you catch yourself making a judgment about someone based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other group affiliation, ask yourself why you are making that judgment. Is it based on facts or on stereotypes?
• Get to know people from different backgrounds. The more you interact with people from different backgrounds, the more you will realize that we all have a lot more in common than we think.
• Stand up against hate when you see it. If you hear someone making hateful remarks, don’t be afraid to speak up against them. You can also challenge hate online by reporting it to the platform’s administrators.

If someone is trying to get you to hate a group of people based on minor differences, it’s a good sign that they are trying to manipulate you. Hateful rhetoric is often used to divide people and to make it easier for those in power to control them. Don’t be fooled. Think for yourself and choose to reject hate.

• A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that children as young as 3 years old can develop biases against people who are different from them.
• A study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour found that people are more likely to believe negative stereotypes about minority groups when they are exposed to those stereotypes repeatedly.
• A study published in the journal Science found that people who are more likely to experience anxiety and fear are also more likely to hold prejudiced views.

These studies suggest that hate is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by a variety of factors, including our early experiences, our exposure to negative stereotypes, and our individual personality traits. It is the belief of the Pennsylvania Light Foot that we don’t care where your family tree was planted, who sleeps in your bed, or who you pray to in times of troubles, you’re still welcomed here as a member.

It is important to note that not everyone who is gullible or easily led will become hateful. However, the research suggests that there is a link between gullibility and prejudice. It is also important to note that hate is not inevitable. We can all choose to resist the urge to hate, even if we have been taught to hate.

You are not gullible or easily led if you refuse to hate a group of people based on minor differences. In fact, you are showing that you are a critical thinker and that you are not susceptible to manipulation.

Be proud of that.