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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

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Thursday Thoughts: Hatred

Let me start with this: I am a Jew.

Now that may turn off some readers, and it may also draw others closer.

But this article isn’t just about Jews, no matter where or who they are.

     It’s about hatred.

     That ugliness that seeps into one’s bones.

     That crawls along arms and legs to strike out at others.

     That allows someone to think some are less worthy than they are.

     That pushes pain and suffering onto them for no reason.

     That too often kills them dead.

For no reason other than that they are different.

It doesn’t matter how they’re different – they could be older, younger, taller, shorter, darker, lighter – but their difference is seen as wrong, not good enough, not worthy.

I was watching a golf program I’d saved on my DVR, and I was stunned to see a “commercial” that showed the picture below. And because I’d saved it, I could pause the screen to take this picture.

It didn’t start that way – it showed several screens of other all-too-common targets of hate – Blacks, Jews, other religions, minorities, ethnicities, LGBTQIA+ – and it ended this way.

For me, it’s a powerful reminder that although I am Jewish, I am not alone in being a target of hate.

I am not alone in having brothers and sisters around the world who would help me as I would help them.

I am not alone in wanting to stop all hate and live with love and kindness.

And one reason that it’s easy to believe others agree with me is the blue box you see above, which is shown on so many LinkedIn profiles.

Not all who show it are Jews.

But I believe they are all stating “I Stand Up to ALL Hate.”

I hope you do, too.

Susan Rooks
Susan Rookshttps://grammargoddess.com/
With nearly 30 years’ experience as an international workshop leader, Susan Rooks is uniquely positioned to help people master the communication skills they need to succeed. In 1995, Susan formed Grammar Goddess Communication, creating and leading workshops in three main areas – American grammar, business writing, and interpersonal skills – to help business pros enhance their communication skills. She also leads one-hour LinkedIn workshops (Master the LinkedIn Profile Basics) via Zoom to help business pros anywhere maximize their LinkedIn experience, offering it to Chambers of Commerce and other civic organizations free of charge. As an editor, Susan has worked on business blogs, award-winning children’s books, best-selling business books, website content, and even corporate annual reports (with clients from half a dozen countries), ensuring that all material is professionally presented.

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CONVERSATIONS

  1. Susan, we can certainly live our daily lives by demonstrating love and kindness to others. But increasingly, we have to hold our representatives to a higher standard than just being a DEM or REP. With all the real problems that need solving, I’m astounded that the new Speaker of the House, who is the second heartbeat from the Oval Office, focuses on the evils of LGTPQ, homosexuality, and conservationists. What happened to the Biblical lessons of tolerance and live and let live?

    Thank you for your spot-on thoughts.

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