Hate! I hear so much hate talk where I volunteer, shop and listen to on the TV. "I hate who they are, what they do, how they speak, their color, speech, customs and wear."

I grew up in a house full of haters. I don't believe that my family would have thought that, but we loved each other and were very cautious about outsiders. We could have been categorized as, "just another bunch of mountain folks who keep to themselves and don't bother anyone who doesn't bother them."

They disliked some because of their religion, background and looks. Mom used to sing me songs with racist words and laugh and laugh. I didn't understand, but I laughed, too. The same with some of the jokes my dad and his friends told. Sound familiar?

I'll never forget the day I came home from school with my friend, Brad. It was noon, and like most kids who lived close to old Grace A. Green Elementary, we ate lunch at home. Why not bring Brad? Mom was sweeping the front porch and asked, "What are you doing, Johnny?"

"Just coming to eat, and I invited Brad."

Mom said, "Johnny, he can't eat here. He's colored."

I didn't have the slightest idea what she was talking about any more than I understood some of those jokes and songs.

I was born in 1936, so I grew up with segregation, and really didn't understand the world around me. Most kids – like me – just went along with what we figured was normal. Some people lived on that side of town, we lived on this side of town; we didn't like them and they didn't like us.

When I joined the Navy, my recruits’ class was white. I didn't think about it. Then one day, our RDC stood us to attention and said, "Today, you will meet with our commanding officer. You will pay him respect, listen to his words and say, "Yes, Sir! By the way, he is Black."

A Black officer? No kidding. Well, okay.

During my four years of service, I learned a lot about my past, present and future. I earned my ribbons, supervised my job, wore my uniform with pride and protected my buddies just like they protected me. We were sailors, nothing more and nothing less. The only things I missed from home were hamburgers, fries, milkshakes and Cokes.

Honorably discharged, I returned to my hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, (by gosh) where I was met with all kinds of heated arguments because the Black community attended the university I was about to attend and was holding sit-ins at restaurants, movies and demanding equal rights. By the way, the first Black basketball player at Marshall was Hal Greer and he and I were in the same English class. He played in very few games for us, but he did pretty well in the pros and finished by being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame!

It was not until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed that it was called, "a significant turning point in ending segregation in the United States. It served as a reminder that the fight for full equality and the eradication of discrimination is an ongoing process." And it is still ongoing!

"That's what we used to do, don't do now and are constantly improving," you say. Well, folks, hate crimes are increasing, violence against minorities is commonplace and there are way too many sites – including our own government – that encourage the worst behavior from like-minded hate groups.

Many in the press call this "normalization!" I have no great problem with recognizing the First Amendment right of free speech or anyone's right to think whatever they choose, but I'd like to normalize tolerance, acceptance, neighborly love and protection over all.

My position is this. We must safeguard liberties and civil rights, which include human rights. We must protect the rights of those who worship in ways that might confuse us. We must guard against those who believe their purpose is to eliminate, in any way possible, those who are branded as outcasts, foreigners, xenophobic or inferior. We can dislike others, but we must protect their rights. They, most likely, don't like us either.

That is why we must teach critical thinking, where everyone gets the right to speak, are challenged to listen and be willing to disagree without prejudice, malice or hatred. Especially hatred.

Our Lord was very clear, "You have heard and been taught to love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I tell you to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you."

We must choose the right way to live. Jesus Christ taught that following Him is a deliberate personal choice. How we live is a choice. To hate is a choice. Freedom to choose is a gift from God. Choose wisely.

Thanks, God!