The Hate Race
By Maxine Beneba Clarke
Contrary to the title of the book,
a story full of love
for family
for friends
for acceptance in the face of hate.
Does hate exist permanently?
Is it cast in stone for ever more?
Even a stone can be worn down
over time
with the right conditions.
Reading The Hate Race
the reader becomes more aware
more in tune
with people around them.
Aware that words do hurt
chip chip chipping away
at a person’s sense of self until
someone is left shattered
bits and pieces in a pile.
We must open up our hearts and minds
accept ourselves and others
and win
The Hate Race.
Have you read books that gave you insight into another person’s suffering?
Do you think books can help create empathy?
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Author: Pamela Collett
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. I have a B.A. from Stanford University and a M.Sc. from Cornell University. I have lived and worked in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland, California as well as in Washington, DC. Outside the United States, I lived and worked in Venezuela, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Uganda, Somalia and Kenya. I currently live in Canberra, Australia.
I edited three books: Bold Plum: with the Guerillas in China's War against Japan by Hsiao Li Lindsay; Peace and Milk: Scenes of Northern Somalia by James Lindsay and Fatima Jibrell; and Solo vale si piensas rápido by Mehedy Lopez, a book of poetry in Spanish. In 2016, I published a book of my poetry and drawings, Silence Spoken.
I have taught communication skills, English as a second language, and English for journalists (in Beijing, China) at university and secondary school levels. I was a features writer for the Daily Journal, (Caracas, Venezuela), and The Chronicle of Higher Education. I am a member of the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Writers Centre, active in a writers’ group and a contributor to poetry readings, That Poetry Thing, in Canberra, Australia.
View all posts by Pamela Collett
The power of the words we use cannot be underestimated. We could all choose them carefully.
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Ps. In answer to your questions, yes and yes!
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I strongly dislike the word “hate” because I see it as manifestation of dark energy. It is the opposite of “love” in my opinion. And no, I don’t think any emotion is permanent.
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I agree with Lawrence Andre’s reply,
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