Nov 8, 2020
A moment of HATE is lined by HEALING
A SLM conversation with Arlene Kline
Silver Lining Moments:
a space for conversations, feelings, and ideas that expand love and light
“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
I have read this quote many times. I believe its truth. It’s one thing to read these words and agree with them; it’s another to live by these words. The first part is easy; the second part, not so much.
How we do we live these words…especially when hate is being targeted at us?
Even with my 100% certainty in the truth of these words, my first reaction is often to fight back. Perhaps that is what drew me to litigation and what kept me there for so many years, even when I felt it wasn’t quite the right path for me. My desire to take these words from aspirational affirmation to daily action has been part of my personal journey. When I see someone living these words, I seek them out and ask them how. This brings me to the guest of this SLM episode, Arlene Kline.
Arlene and her family have personally been on the receiving end of antisemitic hate speech. Her response against this hatred is to educate others about it and to empower others to stand against it. Her efforts are not grounded in hate for the spreaders of antisemitism but in justice and equality underlined by a love for all humanity. She volunteers with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an anti-hate group that works to secure justice and fair treatment for all.
In this episode, Arlene and I discuss:
- What it is like to be the recipient of hate speech
- The horrible feeling when your child is a recipient of hate speech
- Responding to hate with hate is driven by feelings of helplessness and fear
- Education and empowerment can transform helpless and fear into love in action
- Her work with, and the mission of, the ADL
- The importance of filling yourself up with self-love
Each instance of hate is an opportunity to live these words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each time we live these words through our thoughts and our actions, our feelings will follow; healing happens. Each time, hate weakens and love strengthens.
As you listen to this conversation, I hope that any hate directed at your or residing in your heart is healed with love. From my conversation with Arlene, I realize how:
a moment of HATE is lined by HEALING.
Thank you for listening to Silver Lining Moments.
By Arlene sharing and by you listening, together we are:
expanding love and light,
one person at a time,
one story at a time,
one Silver Lining Moment at a time.
