We must carry on in the face of hate

Sir — The recent barbaric atrocities in Manchester and London have brought home to us all the huge threat to life on our planet in this day and age, in which we can no longer trust the person sitting next to us on train, bus or taxi, or more so in pubs, cinemas or concerts.

What experiences must a person have, what level of disconnect must they have experienced, to be able to justify blowing up and stabbing innocent men, women and children? Can children be born into this world hating another human being, hating another race of people? Hate, just like love, has to be a learned emotion.

When I think of the few years I spent in Manchester working on team buses to Manchester United grounds, getting free admission to the grounds and watching probably the best forward combination in the world of Best, Law and Charlton playing on the one team, I remember distinctly the cheers of “United, United” from the thousands of multiracial fans all shouting in unison for their team, and celebrating with each other on the scoring of a goal.

It was safe to sit beside any person at any gathering, but what a change today when you are dubious about everybody in your presence, whether it be at a match, concert or whatever.

We can’t wrap our children in a cloak of fear and anger, we must try to show them there is a way of us living all together on this Earth. We can’t stop them from going to concerts, from travelling the world and experiencing new cultures.

Of course, we will all be nervous and be more protective than we already are of our young people, for whom terrorist attacks are fast becoming part of their reality. Those young people killed in the Manchester attack could easily have been our own sons and daughters.

Making children scared of going about their lives is not the answer, and gives the advantage to the terrorists. All we can hope and pray for is a bright new day when we can all live in peace and harmony with one another, and come to the realisation that we are all God’s creatures and are all brothers and sisters, whatever our race or religion. Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo