Day 6: I don't understand hate

Indian policemen march during the state funeral of former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief, Hemant Karkare in Mumbai. Karkare, who was given a state funeral, was shot dead by terrorists along with encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte near Cama Hospital. (Getty Images)

I keep trying to make sense out of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai this week. Each time I read a report, I look for something -- anything -- that will give me some sort of insight into why and how human beings can kill.

And not just kill, but kill blindly.

We often hear talk about humans having an animal instinct.  However, I never believed it to be true.  I have mostly subscribed to the understanding that we were superior to other living things because we have the ability to negotiate with each other.  This is a skill that should keep us from attacking without remorse, right?

No.

Our long world history of genocides, ethnic cleansings and numerous incidents referred to as "hate crimes" suggests that maybe I am wrong in my judgement of human behavior.

Why else would we kill in the name of hate?  I do understand dislike.  There are a some - several - people can say I do not like.  However, I don't understand hate.

How are so many of us fueled by what seems like such an inborn want (need? desire?) to kill? What is it, that appears to be innate in some of us, that allows us to hate someone so much that we take their life or the life of someone else in their name?

Is it something intrinisic or could it be something more, something different that builds off basic human nature, but develops into a learned behavior that is distraught with emotion?

This Thought Process entry is day 6 in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign. Although it does not speak to violence towards women specifically, it does support International Human Rights Day, the official end to the campaign period on 10 December 2008.