Read on Twitter
THREAD
HATE AS A VIRUS
Hate is like a virus. If left unchecked, it spreads and spreads and spreads—and spreads. Until.
Shaped by known risk factors, the spread of hate can also be mitigated by known antidotes.
1/12
HATE AS A VIRUS
Hate is like a virus. If left unchecked, it spreads and spreads and spreads—and spreads. Until.
Shaped by known risk factors, the spread of hate can also be mitigated by known antidotes.
1/12
The ongoing Black Lives Matter protests have helped to serve as a grassroots antidote to hate, promoting messages of love and solidarity.
2/12
2/12
But these messages have likely fallen on deaf ears for a sizable portion of the U.S. population.
Members of this population segment have possibly even become increasingly hardened.
3/12
Members of this population segment have possibly even become increasingly hardened.
3/12
Now, we have already had one pandemic, which Trump has expertly mismanaged.
Are we going to allow him to create a hate epidemic too?
4/12
Are we going to allow him to create a hate epidemic too?
4/12
We do not adopt containment measures at the start of an epidemic because the prevalence of the pathogen is widespread at that point in time.
Rather, we adopt containment measures because the consequences of allowing the pathogen to spread uncontrollably are intolerable.
5/12
Rather, we adopt containment measures because the consequences of allowing the pathogen to spread uncontrollably are intolerable.
5/12
Likewise, hate—in any form, from any source—must be stamped out as early as possible. It must be stamped out before it spreads.
6/12
6/12
But hate is already spreading.
So where are our epidemiologists of hate to confront this outbreak? Our experts on extremism and war and genocide?
No one is saying much of anything.
7/12
So where are our epidemiologists of hate to confront this outbreak? Our experts on extremism and war and genocide?
No one is saying much of anything.
7/12
Some of us always aim to extinguish hate as early as possible, even in the “smallest” forms. They call us hysterical. But the real hysteria occurs when hate explodes.
We would rather douse the fire before the whole house is aflame. Hate always comes back around, after all.
8/12
We would rather douse the fire before the whole house is aflame. Hate always comes back around, after all.
8/12
We must avoid such worst-case scenarios.
We speak of worst-case scenarios not because we are certain that they will happen.
Rather, we speak of them because we must take action to avert them or to minimize them. We speak of them because we do not want them to come true.
9/12
We speak of worst-case scenarios not because we are certain that they will happen.
Rather, we speak of them because we must take action to avert them or to minimize them. We speak of them because we do not want them to come true.
9/12
This way of thinking is at the essence of foresight and planning.
But with inaction, or with ineffective action, worst-case scenarios become more and more likely.
10/12
But with inaction, or with ineffective action, worst-case scenarios become more and more likely.
10/12
The long-term goal is not merely to douse fires but to entirely eradicate hate.
The only true vaccine for that is justice and equality—for all.
Will we allow these objects to remain elusive for our society?
11/12
The only true vaccine for that is justice and equality—for all.
Will we allow these objects to remain elusive for our society?
11/12
The time is now.
Do your part.
Be the light that drowns out darkness.
Change the course of history.
12/12
Do your part.
Be the light that drowns out darkness.
Change the course of history.
12/12
