While it’s said that bad times can bring out the best of us, the past few weeks have shown it can also bring out the worst in some of us.
As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to gain support and momentum, so has the number of hateful comments towards Black people, especially those posted online.
One such group to receive racist and hateful comments was Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, a nonprofit that uses tiny horses to visit children and adults in hospitals and hospice and those who have experienced traumatic events.
Gentle Carousel recently shared a photo of one of their horses, Sparkle, with a young girl wearing a mask.
“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time,” the caption read.
While they received many, many “wonderful comments,” they also received numerous comments directed towards the color of the little girl’s skin and the fact that she was wearing a mask.
“We had to delete more unkind comments directed at this child than we have ever had to deal with in over a decade on Facebook,” the organization said in a separate post addressing the behavior.
Gentle Carousel said they deleted comments and banned people who made comments about the child’s skin color as well as those who demanded her face mask be removed.
“When our horses make a hospital visit they do not care about a patient’s race, politics, finances or religion. They love unconditionally. Some humans could learn a lot from little horses.”
Debbie Garcia-Bengochea, Gentle Carousel’s Education Director, told Bored Panda that not only are their 21 therapy horses loved by those they visit, but they are also loved by those on social media.
“Our social media has always been a positive and safe place for people of all ages.”
“Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses work with vulnerable populations. Our volunteers wear face masks to protect those they serve. It is not a political statement. It is a compassionate one.”
While these may be trying times for everyone, we need to be kind to one another.
If we disagree with a person wearing a mask, the response should not be hate. If we feel threatened by the color of another person’s skin, the response should not be a racist remark.
Masks are worn to protect others against the spread of COVID-19, and Black lives matter. Period.
Share this if you believe racist comments have no place in our world.