How do you recognize a Nazi? I mean other than the toothbrush mustache and swastika, what else gives them away? Could it be the color of their hats? Their devotion to supremacy of some sort? Do they belong to a particular political party? I’m being sincere, can we really look into someone’s heart and see hatred there? Xenophopbia? Bigotry? Racism? What special power must we use to perceive intent in fellow travelers on the path of life?
Point is we can’t. We can only assume bad intentions based on past actions. We condemn their past and damn their future appointing ourselves judge and jury in the process. In this we leave no room for human growth, forgiveness or abiding change.
Yet many of the people you see every day, on TV, in the news have had difficult pasts. Should we punish them for their history? Maya Angelo was a sex worker. Should her voice never been heard? Our world would be poorer for it.
