White nationalism

March 20, 2019

I can understand how we humans are more comfortable with people like ourselves. It’s sometimes less stressful to be around other folks of the same religion, gender, sexual orientation, political persuasion, nationality, age range, economic class, or sports team fandom. We don’t have to explain or defend ourselves or our beliefs. We can let down our guard and relax without worrying about being judged or criticized.

But killing people because they look or think differently than we do? Verbally or physically abusing other human beings for no reason, other than that they are not members of our own tribe? No, I don’t understand that at all.

As much as I enjoy traveling the world and encountering people of different ethnicities, I find it easier to relate to other white people, at least initially, whether at home in the United States or in Canada or Europe. There is simply less likelihood of cultural misunderstandings. But while it may often be simpler for me to communicate with people of European heritage, it can sometimes be more rewarding to reach across racial or religious differences and connect with fellow human beings living in very different realities from my own. It’s good to be reminded of our common humanity, even if at times it might seem that we have little in common other than our shared species.

I don’t blame the white nationalists for wanting to preserve the European cultural attributes that have led to prosperity, stability, and opportunities for so many in our Western civilization. I prefer living in a Western society myself. I would rather see Third World countries become more like Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand than the other way around. But one of the hard-won lessons still being learned by the more advanced human societies is the importance of tolerance. If we fail to preserve that most important virtue, we will lose the glue that holds our developed commonwealths together.

So what I would say to the white supremacists around the world is this: rather than fearing or resenting Muslims, black people, Jews, or others, why not celebrate the positive qualities of the white culture you claim to admire? It’s so much easier on your karmic repercussions. You don’t have to love or even like non-white people, but at least leave them alone and build a constructive alternative to the chaos of so many developing countries. Hatred is toxic to our bodies, minds, and spirits, but being creative and optimistic is empowering, even if and especially if we are unemployed or sick or have broken families. Appreciate your European and/or American heritage, rather than denigrating someone else’s religion or culture. If you think that Christianity is so wonderful, prove it by becoming a role model for the teachings of Jesus.

But if you insist on harming other people, remember this: no one ever gets away with anything, ever. There’s no such thing as impunity or injustice in the grand scheme of things. The law of cause and effect will teach you painful lessons in karmic justice. And that means that, more than likely, your soul will choose to be reborn in one of the very groups you now despise, in order to learn lessons in compassion and empathy to compensate for the negativity you create in this lifetime. So think about that before you continue upon a foolish and ignorant path. Jesus and the Buddha didn’t hate anybody, and if you are wise, neither will you.

Trade in your white for light.