Indifference

Tonight I went to the highlight of Georgia State University's multicultural compentency conference which was an evening with Professor Elie Wiesel. He gave a talk on building a moral society and hope. The main flag that he waved was "The opposite of Love is not Hate. It is indifference." While I know Elie was speaking about the indifference to wars and genocide and racism, I was extremely quick to generalize this nasty indifference to other things as well. An experience with one of my roommates and her friend made me realize, that I cannot so easily generalize this indifference to all situations. For the past several months I have been living with several different girls. Some come and some go. One, an individual who I used to consider a friend stayed. I have reached out and tried oh so very hard to be a friend. But I simply will not surround myself with people who I know do NOT want to be the people that they can and should be. I believe that if you treat a person as what he is, then he will stay as he is. But if you treat a person as what they ought to be and should be, then they will become what they ought to be and should be. I know that I expect nothing different from my friends as it applies to me as well. I would want them to have the same mindset about me. Its a hard thing to actually 'give up' on someone. For some strange and outlandish reason, I felt as though it was my responsiblity to support this person, and to be consistent with this person. I know now that I myself am not able to do it. I am no longer willing to do it. I do not have a wish or desire to see this person be anything. Its hard having your good will constantly thrown back in your face. So to say that I hate this person does not seem strong enough to do the feelings justice. I don't hate this person. I don't feel as though I have the energy anymore to actively dislike or inversely actively support this person. And although I know it would shame Dr. Wiesel... I am indifferent.