It is really tragic that so often, members of groups that are being highlighted for the behavior of too many fail to listen to the pain or rally to support the wounded, but instead choose to become defensive. Dismissing the argument, or at least trivializing the arguer, they hide behind the very true, but irrelevant statement that "we aren't all like that." Truth is, we police our own. In a church, the focus should not be the outsider's behavior, but that of the attendee. For demographic groups, if there is known to be fear, or trepidation, or hatred toward your group because of the few... how easy should it be to stand with the oppressed and root out the cancer. "It's not all of us" is the battle cry of the apathetic. It's an excuse to self justify non participation in very serious issues. There are pathetic young people populating our colleges and universities who think it's cute to paint racist remarks on things to hurt others. Or even to actively harass other students who are different. Of freaking course it's not "all," but if no one stands up against these behaviors, then they are encouraged. It is hard for the one being bullied to stand up, especially when they can't readily identify those who are with them vs. those who are against them. Racism, sexism, and other "ism's" don't often come with overt physical characteristics. Yes, the punk with the swastika on his head may deserve some watching, but many of these filth bags are clean cut wearing tie and blazer, while some of the most sympathetic and kind dress alternatively. Truth is, we're all afraid of bullies. The victims have been tormented. And the good people choose not to get involved because conflict is not as much in their nature as in those who actively pursue a path of hate. But if we speak out. If we are vocal with our despite of evil, then won't we begin to form alliances. Won't we realize that these weak and pathetic haters are in the minority. Won't we then have the strength of a community so no one has to be victimized? So maybe we need to stop patting ourselves on the back because we haven't raped anyone. Or because we don't use racially insensitive words. That's a very good starting point, but it's just not enough. Let's be overt with celebrating diversity and caring for those who are in positions of vulnerability. Let's be loud and obvious with our affection for others. Let's let our sparks unite into a flame that burns out the necrotic tissue of our society. Let's accept that when people talk in generalities, they are typically well aware that it's not all people of any group, but that it's simply enough that being around anyone in that group makes them uncomfortable. If we want to save our group's reputation, then we need to leave it for a bigger, more inclusive population. The more we cling to any social identity that is associated with poisonous behavior, the more we shelter those who need to be drug into the public square and eliminated. Don't let pride in what we identify as, whatever that might be, blind us to the problems that are attributed to such identities and beguile us into inaction.