I think it's fear. Humans are trash. And the best of us is judged by the standards of the worst among us. I didn't always believe this. But my perspective has widened since I was younger. Not all humans are trash, of course. A lot of us are perfectly decent people. And even the trash has good intentions more often than not. But we're still only human. And another thing humans are is dumb. And prone to emotional reasoning. And easily manipulated, too.

To say that it's a misunderstanding doesn't drive to the heart of the matter. The truth is actively obfuscated. But by people who probably believe the errors of reasoning they spout. It's fear and taboo, built upon a foundation of profound ignorance, fostered and cultivated simultaneously by those who profit from taking advantage of those they manipulate, and those who legitimately believe what they preach, because they've never stopped to consider - seriously consider - an alternate perspective.

It's funny that the words "humane" and "humanity" come from the same root that is the cause of all this arbitrary and senseless violence. Physical violence. Emotional violence. Institutional violence. How can we ever change anybody's mind if we don't even have the freedom to communicate our perspective? That's what the freedom of speech is supposed to exist for. Because people don't want to change their perspective. And they'll silence dissenters if they can get away with it.

These haughty principles - like rights and liberties - were supposed to have been constructed by wise intellectuals because of their importance, and also their fragility in the hands of the ignorant. But who defends these glass principles when power lies either in the indelicate hands of the masses or the already corrupt? (No, I'm sorry, decorated soldier, you did not fight to defend my freedoms if I cannot exercise them.) I'll argue rights and liberties tomorrow (believe me, I will). For now, all I ask for is a little bit of humanity. Let me make my case to the world, and judge me on the merits of my character, not the circumstances of my fate, or the directive of some blind bias.

"What rational person would hate a group of people because they love too much?"

Now this is well said.