“An enemy is a person whose story we have not heard” Gene Knudson Hoffman (Quaker Peace Activist)

 I understand why people might agree with the quote above. Sometimes we have a conflict with someone because we don’t really know who they are, or there is some kind of misunderstanding. I f you don’t really give that person the opportunity to express who they are, you might falsely classified them as your enemy. If you see the quote that way, then I would also agree with it but there is a second part to it which I don’t agree with. There are many people out there whose story I have not heard and I don’t feel they are my enemy. Sometimes knowing their story is what makes them your enemy, I f you know that someone wants to hurt you, or someone else you care for, you automatically put them in your enemy list. It is of human nature to try to protect who you love and yourself from danger and having that list is a way of surviving. Is better to know that individual’s story and know exactly who they are so you know what they are capable of. There are malicious people out there who just desire to cause harm on others without having a reason or a story so they become an enemy too. Everyone has their methods to “classify” their enemies, and it all depends on which one makes you feel more secure. If you want to say that everyone you don’t know is your enemy, go ahead, there is no problem as long as you don’t cause anyone el se harm. You don’t want to become the enemy of the whole world just because you feel that the whole world is your enemy.