If the hate is in ourselves (i.e. if we hate someone or something), then cultivating love can drive out that hatred the same way warmth drives out the cold. Cold is the absence and antithesis of warmth. Simply by existing, warmth reduces the amount of cold in the area. Similarly, hatred is, if not the absence, at least the antithesis of love. Simply by existing inside us, love can help reduce the amount of hate in us.
Reducing the amount of hate in others seems to be a longer and more complex process, but I suppose the same principle applies. Just as one can warm up a glass of water by putting it in a warm room, we can reduce the amount of hatred in others by giving them a loving environment. At least, one can hope that would work. It would be a long process, hindered by the amount of time spent in less loving environments, but I can imagine love passing from one person to another the same way warmth does, especially since a lot of hatred is rooted in a lack of feeling loved.
I hope that we can find it in ourselves to feel and express love toward ourselves and others, even in the face of hatred. Answering hatred with more hatred may feel better in the moment, but it doesn't actually reduce the amount of hatred in the world. Only love can do that. I hope that I can be strong enough to love others, even if they hate me, and that I can show them, by example, that love can be strong enough to drive out hatred.
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