hatred is a virus that's spreading like the klan
Photo by Gunnar Ridderström
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), one of America’s most infamous hate group. They hid behind white cone shaped mask and white long robes. They emerged in the South during the reconstruction period in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865. The hate group grew to a little over a half a million members in 1866, causing death and mayhem for nothing but for their fear of being replaced by people of color.
OPINION | SECTION
“Jealousy and hate aren’t so distant—they often live in our families, workplaces, social circles, even our churches: a place where we seek love. They’re a curable disease, but healing starts from within all of us. Walk away from toxic influences, and instead of envying others, learn from them. Ask for help. Grow. Choose better, as oppose to evil, pride, and destruction.”
By John Paul RoBeare | July 11, 2025
The Ku Klux Klan founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1865 and expanded into every Southern state by 1870. At one point, their membership exceeded 4 million. That’s a lot of hate by one group of people. The Klan started as a social group but changed course as a result of feeling threatened by freed slaves during the period of reconstruction by the Republican Party.
Republicans at that time were working toward creating economic and political equality for African Americans/Blacks. It infuriated the Klan, and they planned and initiated a violent speaking tirade throughout the South aimed at Blacks and anyone who attempted to support efforts to make Blacks equal in America. They sponsored intimidation campaigns like burning crosses on Blacks lawns, and their places of worship, along with a series of protest, rallies, parades, and more to denounce, Black, Jews, and all other immigrants.
These confrontations soon became deadly, as the Ku Klux Klan became desperate and began lynching Blacks who “they” felt were uppity: arrogant or acting above their perceived social status, and merely because of the color of their skin—[Black]. They bombed Black churches, schools, and homes. The Klan also turned their ire on Jews and white activist who tried to help battered (yet resilient) and wrongly discriminated against Blacks in the South.
Why? Because we live in a world of more…, jealously, and hate—where everyone is competing, both within and especially, beyond their immediate circle. This complex, and often unconscious competition exists even without a clear or visible opponent.
All this rage and anger began after the Civil war, whether planned or stumbled upon, they became an organization with a sinister goal. To rid America of its Black population and the many new immigrants. (Forgetting they too were immigrants in a land own by Native Americans.)
The Ku Klux Klan was bent on resisting reconstruction efforts to grant rights to enslaved Blacks. Their [hatred] of Blacks and Jews were fueled by bitter racism, fear of change, and a strong desire to restore pre-war social order. Many whites today who believed in the Klan doctrine years ago, still have the same mindset, and feel President Trump is the gift from God to make it happen. That is to help them regain and maintain white supremacy and dominance over those they feel superior to in everyway.
Maintaining civility didn’t matter for most of the white supremacist—if you were seen as outside of the Ku Klux Klan’s tribe, you were considered a threat to their existence simply for not being a white purist. That is, in effect, someone who believes in strict adherence to the racist ideology claiming that all men are [not] created equal, and that the white race is superior to all others. (It’s important to note that this hateful and distorted worldview does not reflect the beliefs of the vast majority of white Americans, who generally value equality. This toxic ideology is by a small, misguided minority.)
In today’s society, whether young or an older adult, woman or man, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian or other—Christian, Muslim, Buddhism, etc., individuals today seek to out do the other: driven initially by jealousy and the need to have power and be the best.
While this emotional combative gesture may seem innocent, it is not. Hiding in the background of jealously, beneath the surface is the highly emotional underpinning of “HATE.” Jealously and hatred are two distinct emotions.
However, as we see time and again, jealously most certainly can lead to hatred as they are intertwined, They create a dangerous mixture that releases the dreadful disease of hate. A highly destructive and toxic emotion that causes mayhem, physical and mental injury, loss, and death.
For instance, when a person or group feels that something they value greatly or believe in is threatened—often from an outsider or at minimum, a third party, they begin to feel insecure. Unfortunately, this can create a feeling of loss, anxiety, and concern over future expectations as a result of what they perceive others have at their expense.
Let’s face it, people are not born with either jealously or hatred. They learned this troubling behavior from some insignificant or uneducated person or group. For them, they rather blame someone else for their mediocre lifestyle, rather than doing the challenging work to uplift themselves.
By Jon Tyson
Hate is a disease much like a pandemic—if not confronted early, it spreads rapidly, threatening to devastate not just a nation, but the entire world.
Now, what was an innocent act or successful achievement by a third party, has been eternalized by an invisible force within the in the mind of the an individual or group that now feels threatened. Point and Case, the “Great Replacement Theory.” It’s a narrative that was and still is being spread by right-wing populists and many individuals associated with Trumpism and MAGA.
The “Replacement Theory” expanded amid the many conservative social media platforms, like Truth Social, Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others. They believe the white population is declining as a result of the influx of immigrants into the U.S., too many people of color having a disproportionate number of children.
Some conservatives believe the offspring of minorities are replacing whites, placing a burden on the financial system in the U.S. through the various welfare programs—and is directly responsible for the elevated homeless rates. They are not looking at the fact that many whites are the benefactors of these social programs, and in certain areas, they receive the lion share of the social benefits.
Furthermore, these mostly right-wing individuals or groups blame the LGBTQ+ for the decline in the birth rate among the white population. These purported structural inadequacies, spawn a feelings of hopelessness, discontent, and disgust—triggering fear, envy and violent rage.
Notwithstanding the ongoing racism towards African Americans, Ethnic Minorities, Muslims, Jews, Hispanics, religious and political affiliations, and many more. Hatred is the number one driver of violence around the world—leading to wars and the deaths of many innocent individuals and children.
LA Flag Burning
Pictured above, the Los Angeles protest. Burning the American flag is protected by constitutional rights. Yet, as a matter of finding common ground, it’s unwise—because it often fuels more hatred than dialogue, deepening divides instead of encouraging understanding or unity.
The Iran-Israel Conflict Goes Back to the Biblical Days of Ishmael and Isaac: The Sons of Abraham.
The hate seen between Ishmael and Isaac is one of the oldest disputes among families in the Bible: the book of Genesis. Although there are other accounts of family dynamics which centers around jealously and hate, like the story of Cain and Abel. Cain and Able were brothers, who offered sacrifices to God. God chose to favor Abel’s sacrifice which made Cain extremely angered and fuming with hate, resentment and total bitterness. It was so intense that he killed his brother, Abel.
But for now, I will stay focused on the brothers of Abraham since we are currently witnessing their continued ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
When it comes to the Iran-Israel’s conflict, tension between the two warring factions are far from new encounters. And I believe a large part of it is manifested by jealousy and hatred. In fact, you can trace the complicated conflict and hatred back to 1979 during the Iranian Revolution, when Iran’s new government became disillusioned and very critical of Israel.
Throughout the years, there have been many proxy fights among them over religion, land, and ethnic disputes from both sides supporting different views. Especially in the beginning as far back as thousands of years ago. The disagreement was particularly between both: Isaac and Ishmael—sons of Abraham. According to the Hebrew Bible and Islamic tradition, Isaac became the patriarch of the Jewish people and Ishmael was seen as the forefather of the Arab people.
Thousand of years ago the brothers had deepening conflicts with one another—similar to today’s descendants within the Jewish and Arab/Muslim communities respectfully. In the Bible, it explains thoroughly the challenges these two brothers faced, and how it deteriorated the Jewish and Muslim relationship today. To better understand this conflict and how it shaped relationships in the Middle East, one should read it for themselves. You can start with the book of Genesis: It talks about the sons of Abraham (Ishmael and Isaac).
For the purposes of this article, I have prepared this brief description of the conflict between the brothers and the ongoing dispute by its descendants. The first son, Ishmael—blessed by God—was called a wild donkey of a man.
He was a nonconformant, strong, and a defiant figure—adhering to no one, roaming freely, thereby placing a legacy of similar sorts on all descends of the Islamic world. That being the Sunni and Shia branches. However, the second born, Isaac, was chosen by God to carry the new covenant: a gift Abraham desired for his first born—Ishmael. Abraham, prayed to God to have Ishmael be under his blessing, but the choice was made.
From that time on, the two brothers lived in constant conflict, as each son wanted the privilege to be bestowed upon them. The sons were separated and the bitter battle began. Their dispute, as depicted in religious text, is interpreted as stemming from sibling rivalry, competition over birthright, and differing destinies.
Although, some interpretations of the story highlight negative emotions. For instance, the Bible describes Sarah’s as being jealous of her maid Hagar because she had a child: Ishmael. Sarah could not have a child, and therefore became jealous and despised the two.
That jealously and hatred led to Sarah requesting of Abraham to send Ishmael away, so her son Isaac would receive all the inheritance. She believed Ishmael was a threat to her own son Isaac’s inheritance. Isaac’s birth meant Ishmael would lose his identity—erasing Muslims in surrounding countries. A matter that would not sit still among the Muslim community, and had caused much strife and bitter conflict as a result.
Today, modern geopolitical struggles have maintained and continued the riff and conflict in the Middle East. An endeavor that is causing mass destruction of property and the deaths of innocent children, women and and wiping out whole families and communities.
As human beings, we must find a better solution to forge better relations and rid this world of hate. As it is consuming our thoughts and leading to Armageddon: an Apocalyptic catastrophic event of enormous proportions.
As we consider pathways toward peace, it is equally important to remember that many of the struggles beyond the Middle East are rooted in colonial history, power dynamics, and resource competition, rather than by ancient Biblical scripture alone or mere cultural, monetary, and religious hate. We must look at what makes us human and what similarities bring us together rather than the few items which separates us.
Black Wall Street
Black Wall Street was tragically destroyed in 1921 due to deep-seated racism, jealousy, and hatred—erasing a thriving Black community in Tulsa Oklahoma, as well as killing 300 proud, and innocent, members of this prestigious African American community because of Jealously, mean-spirited anger, and boiling HATE.
Trump as well as past presidents, took sides in the Middle East, often siding with Israel when it came down to conflicts. Trump for instance, embraced Israel political stance, while at the same time condemning Iran, while informing them that he does not seek to go to war. Trump expressed to Iran that he only desire to negotiate a truce, with a promise by Iran not to build a nuclear weapon.
Trump publicly supported diplomacy, giving Iran two weeks notice before he decided whether to strike their Nuclear plants. Yet, hours later, and without notice or provocation, he did exactly what he said he wouldn’t—bomb Iran’s nuclear sights. This strike was not an act of diplomacy, but a lie in an attempt to help Israel.
The “Operation Midnight Hammer” campaign of Trump was a move than only further inflamed and cause hate and distrust among the Iranian officials—fueling the possibility of further contention and the possibility of a U.S. and Iran conflict. The actions of this president can lead to further destabilization of the region.
It appeared to me that the sneak attack on Iran was unnecessary and an attempt to follow suit with the Military parade of president Trump, to elevate his status as a war-time president who will destroy his adversaries and legacy building at the expense of Iran. A real General George S. Patton if you will.
(It should be noted: Barack Obama, did in fact continue the long history of providing military aid to Israel, and signing a hefty 10-year contract with Israel issuing them $38 billion in military assistance. However, Obama, in an effort to secure middle-ground and hopefully, secure peace in the region, pursued forthright and honest diplomatic arrangements with Iran. In particular, then President Barack Obama secured the Iran nuclear deal, without causing friction. Obama focus wasn’t a case of hubris or siding with one over the other. It was idealistic and real diplomacy in action.)
Trump’s critics argue that the bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites reflect not only his willingness to take side, but also Trump’s willingness to exploit historical divisions for selfish gains. This type of covert and devious intervention is rooted in power grabbing, fear mongering, and it perpetuates a pattern of jealousy, competition, and hate. And as long as success is viewed as a zero-sum game, where one group’s gain is another’s loss, peace will never be achieved, and Hate will continue to rule the day.
I believe in order to quell these types of conflicts worldwide, the taste for unnecessary competition, power, greed, and hatred, must be removed from mans’ desire for completeness—especially at the expense of the marginalized in society. However, I also feel at this stage, man cannot not do it alone, as will take the hands from a divine spirit, due to peoples deeply embedded influence in worldly ventures, coupled with their desire of materialism.
Replacing one mask for the other does not make the terror any more justifiable.
Pictured above, an alleged young female immigrant picked-up by armed masked possibly (ICE) immigration officials on the streets of Los Angeles.
“Replacing one mask with another doesn’t make the act any more justifiable—no more than the hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan made their terror righteous. If a cause, its individuals, and their intentions are truly legitimate, then why hide behind the veil of darkness and anonymity? True conviction demands courage, not concealment.
The truth—no matter how intimidating, how strenuous, how isolating, or dangerous—will ultimately set you free. Jesus Christ, along with other figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman, Mahatma Gandhi, have been etched on the halls of justice and in the collective memory of society for eternity. Why? because they fought the vigor of hostility, jealousy, and hate to reveal a greater light of love and truth.”
However, when it comes to protest, and all things considered, I must paraphrase President Trump’s view on the matter. What he said was, “If protestors at Columbia University and other institutions wear mask, why shouldn’t immigration enforcement?”
On that point, I strongly believe the president raises a valid point and a well documented concern. Protestors, other than those whom wear face covering for religious or cultural reasons, should unveil themselves—drawing a clear distinction between purposeful protest and those who are instigators and trouble seekers.
Hiding behind a cause, no matter what side you are on or how noble the issues are, while avoiding accountability, reveals weak leadership and purpose. It undermines the credibility of the movement and distracts from the real issues at stake. At some point, integrity, must shine brighter than strategy.
Please note, this article is not to attack President Trump, as “some” of his initiatives are indeed well founded. My writing this article was to examine the ongoing negative trend of hatred and to speak truth to power. We hope by shedding light on the current and historical destructive outcomes of jealously and hate, it will foster the creation of meaningful dialogue across the entire political spectrum. Hopefully, such conversations will result in the healing for a divided, divisive, and toxic nation and world. We are stronger when we are together! This divisiveness must cease immediately—making way for a more hospitable, equitable, and a non-confrontational world order.
We must keep in mind, President Donald Trump is one man with many personal and distorted views of how America should operate. He could not have carried out his feckless and racist policies without the collective participation of those within and outside of his political circle—many whom know better. Change from the horrific decisions of this administration will take all of us working together for positive nation building and world peace.