Yeah it’s a tricky situation better modeled by game theory. No one wants to love and be hated in return. Also most will wait until there is proof of love before giving love. Many will assume group x dislikes me and will reflexively dislike any member of said group back. Unconditional love, hope, and forgiveness sounds very silly and even cliche but it is a very radical mindset and one I wish to embody.

Imagine trying to tell people to love one another and then you get tortured and while being tortured you beg for your torturers forgiveness. A modern example that comes to mind is Nelson Mandela who was treated very badly by his prison guards and on release they were certain he would return the violence but instead he forgave them. It’s a rare thing to see amongst humans because it is a very difficult thing for us to do. Everything in us is telling us it’s insane to forgive and love. You see the same argument in Buddhism and other faiths. I often come back to one of my favorite people Thich Nhat Hanh. In my practice of compassion.