How many parents unknowingly raise their children with a mindset rooted in hate?
Today, I had a conversation with one of my neighbors. We were discussing the current state of the country and how leadership has failed the citizens. As we spoke, his son—about five years old—came out of the room and sat beside him.
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A few minutes later, another neighbor of ours returned from work and entered the compound. I greeted him as usual. The little boy, in his innocence, also greeted him politely.
But then something unexpected happened.
The Incident:
The boy’s father immediately shunned him.
He sternly warned his son never to greet that neighbor again.
His reason? “Anyone who declares himself an enemy of my father is also my enemy.”
I was stunned.
I couldn’t hold back my anger. I asked the man what role his son played in the dispute he had with the other neighbor. I reminded him that disagreements between adults are normal—but dragging an innocent child into the conflict is completely wrong.
Why It Matters:
He tried to defend himself, but I made it clear: there’s no defense for that kind of mindset.
I told him that teaching a child to hate someone simply because of your own issues is planting a dangerous seed. That mindset may grow with the child and cause more harm to society in the long run.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t interested in reason. He insisted that his son must not greet someone he sees as an “enemy.”
At that point, I knew I couldn’t continue the conversation. I quietly ended it and began distancing myself from him.
Conclusion:
This experience taught me something important:
When parents pass hate to their children, they don’t just destroy the child’s innocence—they damage the future.
Despite my efforts, he remained adamant. And that’s okay—I’ve made my choice too. I won’t align with someone who sees hatred as a legacy.
What about you?
Have you seen or experienced something similar? What would you have done in my shoes?
Let me know in the comments section below.