OUR VIEW: We hold the power to change from hate

While winter is filled with holidays that promote thinking about others, that does not mean we can relax the rest of the year. Rather than making up for selfishness during spring and summer with a new toy for Christmas or a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, we should try to show our love all year round. Not only does this improve our relationships with loved ones, but those gifts are even more meaningful when they are not given out of necessity once a year.

    T.J. Leyden, former white supremacy activist and recruiter, exemplifies many of these values as he travels to speak about putting aside hate and encouraging diversity and tolerance. There are so many diverse cultures and nationalities on campus, and rather than splitting up into separate groups, we should meld together and embrace that diversity.

    Pride and criticism are easy attitudes to feel, but not so easy to recognize. Sometimes we see another person and instantly make judgments without even realizing how destructive those thoughts can be. It takes effort to recognize critical thoughts, but recognizing is the first step to overcoming.

    We are all smart college students with unique talents and interests. What many of us don’t realize is that our thoughts of hate only hurt ourselves.

    Didn’t we leave high school to get away from all the pettiness and drama? It is time to grow up. Time to realize that no one really cares who went on a date with who, or who made homecoming queen. Time to put aside prejudices and reach out to those who may feel like a minority on campus.

    Don’t let the holidays pass you by without taking the time to stop and think about the prejudices we all have. We have a power to change the attitudes of the world. Utah State University should be at the front of that revolution. We need to stop the hate, stop the intolerance, wipe out indifference, and take a stand for love and diversity.