Daily Lessons from Life 20 October 2009

"Tue, Oct 20, 2009 Sinchew Daily/Asia News Network - Why do people hate you?


"Why do people hate you?" asked 9-year-old boy Terence Scott, of President of the United States Barack Obama.

Mama mia, what a classical question! Even famous news anchors like Barbara Walters would not ask the President such a straightforward question.

The consequences would certainly not be good if the question was asked by someone else. It might cause all kinds of accusations, including a racist, extreme right-wing member and misanthropist.


However, young Scott was a black, it was impossible for him to refuse a black President. He was only nine years old, he was too young to be a misanthropist. An extreme right-wing member? Perhaps, he could still unable to distinguish left and right.

He just knew that many people do not like Obama and they always criticise the President. And in the context of his experience, it was difficult to understand, as from the religious education, God is merciful. People are supposed to love, not to hate others.


Please do not doubt Scott, it was an angel's question, which was innocent and simple.

Obama's answer was not interesting, he just said: "I did get elected president, so not everybody hates me now."


If Obama was wiser, he should have replied: "Yes, many people hate me because I've done not good enough. I've disappointed many of those who supported me in the past.

"I'm deeply sorry but I promise all the people, particularly those who hate me, that I'll work harder to fulfil my responsibilities and bring you a better United States, so that everybody will be happier.


"If I fail to make it, please spurn me in the next elections and vote for a better President."

Of course, Obama did not say so. Therefore, there was a reason why some people hate him.

However, at least Obama did not order the media not to report the news. He also did not order an investigation on the school boy's background or instruct the Education Ministry to blacklist the boy, barring him from entering any university."

This piece was written by a Chinese Malaysia journalist who has something against the chaos in the Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA), a political party in Malaysia. So, I will leave his ranting along and focused on what I think are the gems!!

Lessons for me are:

1. people hate someone for a reason or reasons. Sometimes that reason(s) may not be a good one as they do not know the person that hated enough. Sometimes there were misunderstanding or loss of power or felt threaten or whatever;

2. hate is an emotional word. People solve problems or disagreement using rationality. People find it harder to resolve any problems when the emotional aspect of the issue is dragged into the picture! Unless there is a life and death situation, I think agreeing to disagree is something acceptable. At least for a while before revisiting it. It is better than pushing for confrontation!;

3. did President Obama respond in the best manner possible? For me, what he said is sufficient. He did get elected to be the 1st Black, and the 44th, President of USA. When the people are educated enough, when people are rational enough, when people are calm and collected enough NOT to be influenced over that 'strong emotion' and made rash conclusion and accusation, the democratic process will work and will work well! In Malaysia, this process is quite advance though the execution and follow through and follow up is still lacking. Hence this emotional ranting by the writer!!

May this question: why do people hate you? be pondered by everyone, and not just the politician. Find the right answer is finding the right way of behaving like a decent human being! Or be a 7e Leader!!