The evil of man is portrayed through the heinous hate crimes towards certain groups or races of people. One in particular, African American slaves, were abused mentally, emotionally, and physically. The views on hatred and it’s causes and effects are truly horrifying to think about. Would the world be different if slavery had not happened?

Hatred is a seed. Once it is planted, all it needs is frustration and persuasion to grow. The question is, where does the hate come from? Is it a feeling, or is one born with hatred? Jonathan Swift quotes “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love each other.” Some people believe that one should not have to have religion to act just and honest with one other. John Lennon sings, “Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.” On the other hand, one can find this verse in the Bible, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18.) Human beings who believe in God disobey him with their hate crimes for hating their neighbor. Religion may or may not cause hatred, but oppression definitely has its different causes.

Slavery began with hatred between one own’s race. Tribes in Africa tried to conquer each other. Once accomplished, tribes made other defeated tribes work for them as slaves. When Europeans came to Africa, the highest tribes started to sell their slaves for money and goods. The Europeans used their supremacy to force the slaves to work under harsh and hateful conditions. Although slavery boosted the slave owner’s economy, it caused the nation to divide which eventually led to the Civil War, destroying the economy as a whole.

When slavery began, slaves were shipped overseas to America in unhealthy conditions. Many died on the journey to America from malnutrition and disease. This was the beginning of the population decrease. Hanging of African Americans also decreased the population size. Culture diversion was also a major effect of slavery. Slaves had to learn English and leave behind their old cultures to communicate and survive in the United States. Not only did they leave behind their cultures, but some families were forced to be split up forever. The African race’s literacy rate was decreasing along with its population. No slaves were allowed to learn how to read and write. If they were caught, the slaves were beaten. Beatings were a form of punishment for the disobedient, sick, and weak. The slaves’ beatings affected their ability to work and maintain sanity. Eventually, some died from the beatings. Death, abuse, and changes in slaves’ life styles reiterate the evil of man.

No matter the group or race of people, oppression against a human being has killed the souls of millions of people. Hatred is defined as a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action. The causes of the action lead to the effect of hatred, and controversy between humans living on the same earth. Unity will never be accomplished until the last person forgets hate and praises love.