To the editor:
You cannot turn on the TV or scan the internet without coming across the horrors of the recent mass killing spree at a Mosque in New Zealand. Violent extremists of any kind must turn our collective stomachs, regardless of the ethnicity or religion of the perpetrator. Robert Sapolsky recently published an article in Foreign Affairs entitled “The Biology of Us and Them” in which he makes a case for the human psyche and need to belong to a group. It appears that excluding others is fundamentally rooted in our biology. Whether you agree or disagree, the reality is that humans like to think in terms of groups, from Colts fans in a stadium to families to any other arbitrary category that comes to mind. Groups and differences will always exist, and humans will cling to them to feel a sense of belonging or to simplify their world. The nationalist fever that is gripping many countries around the world, to include our own, is simply an expression of a sense of belonging and a search for a scapegoat to blame for your problems, or our problems, or societal problems. Where nationalistic fever crosses the line is when we vilify and condemn other groups for just being in another group. Violence can and does follow at times, and this must stop. Change must come at the individual level.
Millions of years ago, our ancestors began learning how to shape the environment. It is time we learned how to better shape our minds and the limitations they place on us. We need to rise above our biology and embrace what makes us human. It is time to expunge the minor differences of skin color, religion, sexual orientation and any other perceived differences and embrace our humanness. We need to allow people to express differences as long as they are not violent and harm others. The First Amendment guarantees this right. No matter how ridiculous or inane someone’s idea might be. This will truly mark the advance of the human race. Until then, we will be nothing more than glorified chimpanzees. The truth is that we must rise above our biology and respect our differences. If we as a society cannot accept and be open to differences in every shape and form, we could easily lose the unique and exceptional inventions and gifts that those individuals will provide for the world to enjoy. There is no better example than the wonderful gift of music, genius, and showmanship personified by Freddie Mercury. Had he been killed for his ethnicity, or religion, or sexual orientation that would have been a loss for the world. How sad indeed.
Gerald J. Krieger
Greenwood
