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Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage) posts op-ed on hatred

Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach has posted an op-ed on hatred, which can be read below.

“Hatred is all around us in this world and in our everyday lives. Hatred is not limited to actions but can be “simple” words. We must realize the impact our words and actions have on the people we are surrounded by in our society. Everyone has their own baggage and issues in this life. These differences is what makes us all so unique and at the same time valuable teachers of experience. We all have something to learn from one another no matter how you were raised, what you do for a living, what your beliefs are, your financial state in life, your sexual preference, your race etc. Your perspective is unique to you and people around you can learn from what you have lived through.

Hatred stems from ignorance, ignorance is the lack of knowledge. Knowledge comes from understanding. Understanding leads to empathy and thus a greater chance of eliminating hatred through the communication of life experience. It sounds more complicated than it is. In your every day life there are many opportunities for us to fight against ignorance and hatred. How many of us shy away and remain silent and removed from these situations? We must learn we can make a difference even just a simple act or words, they do make a difference, it does matter!

This brings me to music, because after all its what I do. Music has that ability to cause a reaction in people. Music can soothe, arouse, upset, pacify and in some cases give us a sense of salvation. I know in my life I owe a great deal to music and I for one do not know if I would be alive today if it were not for the catharsis of music. I know how deep music can effect people, I see it everyday from the stage. People sing along and yell, cry, laugh, get angry. I see it in the eyes of people every single night! What a powerful enigma music is.  I see the way words hit people and the reaction they feel from those words and sounds! There is a real connection! This is why I after 20 years I am still active in music and this is why I am out here every night doing what I do. I get it… I understand that music is a powerful tool that can be used to heal, enlighten, soothe and spread the message of love and understanding to people. That is why the lyrics are so important to me. This is something I do not take lightly, in fact it is my passion!
It is one of the ways I fight against hatred.

How about you? We all can make a diference in this world!

Thanks for reading.

One Love
Jesse David Leach”

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