Conflicts are a natural phenomenon in human society. This is because people have different thoughts and values, and the process of overcoming those differences cannot always be peaceful. Also, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Conflicts teach us how to act next time, and eventually help us to grow one step further. Yet, it is a different story when it comes to conflicts stemming from unconditional hatred. Hatred makes us unconditionally reject others. Conflicts can be resolved only when people are ready to listen to other’s opinions. However, hatred blocks this primary step, and worsens the situation than resolving it.
Unfortunately, Korean society is overflowing with conflicts caused by hatred. Hate in various fields such as gender, generation, race, religion, and occupation spreads throughout society via online communities and Social Network Service (SNS), and incidents caused by hatred frequently appear on the media. Also, people are inclined to express their emotions and just endlessly repeat meaningless arguments. It can be described as an “era of hatred.” How did this happen? Of course, there are people who hate others with no reason at all. However, I believe “dissatisfaction with life” is a more fundamental cause. Surviving in a competitive society is very difficult. This is especially true in Korean society, where various problems such as unemployment and rising house prices are prevalent. People feel dissatisfaction because their needs are not being fulfilled. To relieve this feeling, they turn the arrow of blame towards the wrong place. This is because, although others have done nothing wrong, making them annoying beings who threaten one’s position is way easier than changing the whole society.
However, hatred cannot solve your problem. Hating others and making yourself a relatively superior being may seem more comfortable right now. Yet, the fundamental problem remains. As long as it lasts, our dissatisfaction will continue, and the cycle of hatred will not cease. Therefore, we need to put our emotions aside for a moment and have insight to understand and focus exactly what causes our dissatisfaction. The ability to empathize, which allows us to acknowledge that others are experiencing difficulties just like us, is also needed. Only then can we live properly without being tainted by a society filled with hatred. I hope you do not get caught up in hatred and live your life with the desirable mindset.