Everyone hates someone. La Tete de la Turke is a French expression used to describe a person/group that is stubbornly oppositional, a common trend in most cultures. I learned this gem from my dad and step-mom, Evelyne. From sports team rivalries (Go Hawks) to East vs. West to Catholics vs. Protestants and Sunni vs. Shia; everybody seems to hate someone. I’ve personally experienced it almost everywhere! In France, northern French hate southern French, in Washington, Western Washington hates Eastern Washington, Boilermakers hate IU (what are they called again?) and East Peoria always seems at odds with Peoria. I’m not sure why its the case, but it’s human nature. Its a simple realization, but I find it a common theme in my day to day life. I do know there’s no better way to bond with another person than with a mutual hate for another individual. The ‘us versus them’ mentality gives people an ‘us’ and a sense of belonging. That sense of belonging is often all people want in life, another part of human nature. But I also know (now) that the tendency to go with the crowd is often a foolish pursuit. When I find myself following the crowd and allowing a common consensus to drive my own opinions, I try to reflect on ‘la Tete de la Turke’. I remember that my primal instincts are nothing more than just that- animal responses to tribal stimuli, and I’m not the only one. Self-Awareness is the first step.

Just something to think about..