I wanted to bust what I think is a myth, the idea that people aren’t born hating, they have to learn it. A big component of hate is fear, and when it comes to people it’s the fear that they are going to do something to you. Now, what people might not be born with is straight up hate, but I can tell you having three children that some are born more fearful than others. And one of the ways to cope with the fear of others is to stay with people you know.

I’m not saying that these people haven’t learned to turn their fear into raging hatred, but a very common response to fear is to lash out. Other animals do it (there’s a reason if you leave a litter of cats, dogs, or gerbils to adopt, the ones left over are the fearful ones).

So, while I believe that most people are good, there are things inherent to people that we shouldn’t gloss over. They sometimes have to be taught to do the right thing.