Tolerance and respect

It is hard to watch day after day the violence and hate of acts that are covered on the news. Today we have seen an horrific attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh which has left 11 people dead and many more injured. It makes me so sad to think of those people and their families who have been caught up in this terrifying incident.

We have to be strong against people who want to divide communities and spread hate. We can’t let these people impact on our lives and make us fearful. Fear is incredibly negative and damaging.

Yesterday a violent act happened in my home town and it was shocking that this could happen in such a quiet place. But it didn’t make me scared as I refuse to let the violence in life cloud my views. I do understand why other people may be fearful or concerned about violence in our communities.

The most important thing for us all to do is to spread a message of love and tolerance. We can show consideration even with those people we may disagree with and be respectful. And all this has to start in a schools with young people so they grow up with tolerance.

There will always be people who peddle hate as there has always been in the past. The important thing for 2018 is that they are isolated and marginalised within society. Let us all focus on love not fear and talk of tolerance and respect.