Not Okay

Why is it that people can't seem to recall that Jesus is the one who said, "Love one another as I have loved you"?

Love one another as I have loved you.

Now, I realize that not everyone subscribes to the same religious beliefs as me. Not everyone believes in God and his son. I get that. But generally speaking, the non-Christians that I've encountered have still been people who show a basic respect for other human beings.

So what's these people's excuse? http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2010/04/prom-shocker-constance-mcmillan-invited-to-fake-event-other-students-attend-secret-prom/ Is it "love one another as I have loved you--unless they happen to be gay"?

And these people's? http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/03/29/2010-03-29_phoebe_prince_south_hadley_high_schools_new_girl_driven_to_suicide_by_teenage_cy.html
Perhaps in this case it's "love one another as I have loved you--but only if they aren't different in any way, shape or form".

Seriously, what is happening in our youth that they can't "get" how to be nice to each other? Schools are spending money that they no longer have in order to cram buzzwords like honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility down kids' throats. But is it working? Just like everything else we're trying to teach them, the kids seem to be missing the point.

I chose this profession because I once loved theatre, and I loved my own high school experience and I thought I could have a positive impact on some kids. Stupidly idealistic, I know. Who knows, maybe I have had that impact--neither of the above cases occurred at my school. But I still see it way too often: the girl who is ostracized because of how she dresses, the boy who is ignored because of the way he speaks.

Kids, I know you're not bothering to do your algebra homework. And that English paper? Yeah, right. But, love one another as I have loved you. Is this really too much to ask?