Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Clarity is a beautiful thing


I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hate so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain. - James A. Baldwin


I saw this quote on Daij's blog Soul Tight. It immediately struck me. There is so much hatred in the world and I often ponder why. And then I read James Baldwin's words and it becomes so clear. Hatred really does hide pain. And fear too. So all of these people in the world that spend so much time hating are really hurting. But they are afraid to feel the pain. And they are afraid to feel the fear.

I don't think hate can be eradicated but knowing the source is a start.


9 comments:

Moanerplicity said...

Ahhh Baldwin! Jimmy's words have often caused me much ponderation because they are so often searing with intelligence and some primal truth.

While most of us would rather do without hate, the ironic thing is that one has to think and really invest (which I beleive Baldwin did) in the study of hatred... in the history of what gives birth to it, in a person's psyche, soul, education, reasoning, family, belief system. To go inside another's darkness of heart, that alone can be a vurry scurry process!

I do think he had it right, because most all human patholgy stems from some form of fear, pain or ignorance.



One.

Val said...

@Lin

"...most all human patholgy stems from some form of fear, pain or ignorance."

I agree. There are so many events going on today that can be summed up by Baldwin's words. If only people would just face their fears.

Don said...

James Baldwin broke it down to its very last compound with that statement.

The world would be a much better place for all if freed of hatred. But then that would also signal an end to mankind's pain.

And as long as the world is built on money ... it ain't gon' happen.

Don said...

I almost forgot: http://24hourhiphop.com/article.php?id=7381%20

How you get 'em is how you lose 'em.

Val said...

@Don

"...And as long as the world is built on money ... it ain't gon' happen."

True, because the rich play the poor against each other.

Lol, yeah I really don't believe that story. If anything Alicia might have been trying to hang with Nikki. ;-)

Citizen Ojo said...

Val - it makes sense. Some people have hated so long if they gave that up not only would they deal with pain but they would have an empty whole in their heart.

Val said...

@CO


"...empty whole in their heart."

Can you imagine how awful it must be to be such a hateful person that without hate you are empty. Wow.

Daij said...

loving this entry!

Val said...

@Daij

Thanks for posting the quote!

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Soldier Of Love

I've lost the use of my heart
But I'm still alive
Still looking for the life
The endless pool on the other side
It's a wild wild west
I'm doing my best

I'm at the borderline of my faith,
I'm at the hinterland of my devotion
In the frontline of this battle of mine
But I'm still alive

I'm a soldier of love.
Every day and night
I'm soldier of love
All the days of my life

I've been torn up inside (oh!)
I've been left behind (oh!)
So I ride
I have the will to survive

In the wild wild west,
Trying my hardest
Doing my best
To stay alive

I am love's soldier!

I wait for the sound
(oooh oohhh)

I know that love will come (that love will come)
Turn it all around

I'm a soldier of love (soldier of love)
Every day and night
I'm a soldier of love
All the days of my life

I am lost
But I don't doubt (oh!)
So I ride
I have the will to survive

In the wild wild west,
Trying my hardest
Doing my best
To stay alive

I am love's soldier!

I wait for the sound

I know that love will come
I know that love will come
Turn it all around

I'm a soldier of love
I'm a soldier

Still waiting for love to come
Turn it all around
(4x)

I'm a soldier of love
I'm a soldier

Still waiting for love to come
Turn it all around
(3x)

Still waiting for love to come

Miss Keri Baby!

Tracee!

Solange!

Solange!
The only interesting Knowles

un·for·get·ta·ble: Earning a permanent place in the memory; memorable: an unforgettable experience.

Alicia says...

Rest in Peace Mitrice

Rest in Peace Mitrice
Mitrice Richardson