Hate Crimes Essay, Research Paper
Hate Crimes:
Recognizing, Preventing, Eliminating
“As powerful a tool as the Net can be in spreading hate, it can be equally
powerful in exposing the hate,” writes Rick Goldberg in an essay in HateWatch,
one of the leading monitors of racist and homophobic activity on the internet.
While it is easy to dismiss groups that wage on those of the “deceived Hell-
bound estate…” the majority of hate sites today affect a veneer of
sophistication and supplicity that complement their often artful page
design. Groups like HateWatch do not advocate censoring, or even hacking
white supremacist, anti-religion, anti-arabic, or and anti-gay sites as
much as catergorizing them by geography and there ideas. There is still the
hope that such a database will link anti-hate forces as succesfully on the
internet and group together of what were once scattered and mostly
undefined forces of violent bigotry. I for one plan to devote my life
in promoting tolerance, diversity and equality in society, religion, and
politics through recognizing, prevention, and finally elimination.
Before we can begin discussing bigotry and forms of hate we must first
define and realize what exactly it is and how much it really effects us in
society. Hate Crimes are just not statistics, ask anyone who has ever
been inflicted by it. Its reality. Hate Crimes come in all shapes and
sizes, they are targeted at a number of groups, of these groups
mixed races, homosexuals, and religious differences seem to be the most.
Lets examine in debth each of these three types of hate crimes.
Mixed Races: Since the early development of society in the United States,
racism has always been a diversive issue faced by communities on a
political level. Our country was built from the immigration of people
from an international array of backgrounds. However, multitudes of
white supremacists blame their personal as well as economic
misfortunes on an abundance of ethnic groups. African-Americans, Hispanic
and Asians are only some of the of groups tormented by these white
supremacists. As the amount of ethnic diversity gradually increased in
the political systems of Louisiana and the United States,
organizations rapidly formed to challenge the new ethnic variation in
government. The Ku Klux Klan is one of these groups that were formed
by people who were angered by the increase of diversity in political
office and in the workplace. Local and state officials that were
members of the Klan aided in providing influence, money, and
information to the racist organization. As the civil rights movement
became accepted, it seemed as if the power of racist organizations
deteriorated. However, with the Klan demanding freedom of speech, with
political figures related to the Ku Klux Klan still bringing prejudice
to politics throughout the country, and with multitudes of
African-American churches being burned to the ground, it seems as if
the Ku Klux Klan is still a threat to the citizens of this country.
Can we really just sit back and watch?
Homosexuals: Two of the many issues today
evolving around homosexuals is same sex marriages and acceptance in the
military.
The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the
most significant issues in contemporary American family law.
Presently, it is one of the most vigorously advocated reforms
discussed in law reviews, one of the most explosive political
questions facing lawmakers, and one of the most provocative issues
emerging before American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, it
could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history
of American family law. The potential consequences, positive or
negative, for children, parents, same-sex couples, families, social
structure public health, and the status of women are enormous. Given
the importance of the issue, the value of comprehensive debate of the
reasons for and against legalizing same-sex marriage should be
obvious. Marriage is much more than merely a commitment to love one
another. Aside from societial and religious conventions, marriage
shows legally imposed financial responsibility and legally
authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal
protections for the spouse, including medical visitation,
succession of a deceased spouse’s property, as well as pension and
other rights. When two adults desire to “contract” in the eyes of the
law, as well a perhaps promise in the eyes of a God and their
friends and family, to be responsible for the obligations of marriage
as well as to enjoy its benefits, should the law prohibit their
request merely because they are of the same gender? My opinion of this
subject is like it sounds only my opinion but I intend to prove
that because of Article IV of the United States Constitution and
The Emancipation Proclamation there is no reason why the federal
government nor any state government should restrict marriage
to a predefined heterosexual relationship or not admitting them in
the United States Military, but all this is not new. Ever since the
beginning Homosexuals have been excluded from our society, giving them no
equal protection underneath the large branch of the law.
The Emancipation Proclamation gave freedom to
blacks from slavery in the 1800’s and women were given the freedoms
reserved for males in the early 1900’s with the women’s suffrage
movement. But everyone still knows the underlying feeling of nation in
dealing with minorities and women, one of contempt and utter disgust.
Hate crimes are still perpetrated to this day in this country, and
most are unpublicized and “swept underneath the rug.” The general
public is just now dealing with the struggle of Homosexuals to gain
rights in America, although this persecution is subtle, quiet and
rarely ever seen to the naked eye or the general public.
In a survey taken in 1990, the United States population on a
whole is believed to consist of 13-15% Homosexuals.(hatewatch.com)
This figure is believed to have a margin of error on the upward swing due
to the fact that most homosexuals are still “afraid” of their sexuality and the
social taboos it carries along with it. With so many Homosexuals in
the United States, how can the military prove i
against Homosexuals correct and moral? Through the “long standing
tradition and policy,” says one Admiral of the U.S. Navy. But is it
fair or correct? That is the question posed on Capitol Hill even
today, as politicians battle through a virtual minefield of tradition
and equal rights.
Religious Differences: Through out the world there are a varity of religions, everything
from Christianity to Wiccan beliefs to no religion at all. Whos place is it to judge whos
faith is wrong and whos is right. People against people, churches against churches, this
happens everyday in every location. More deaths have occured throughout history on the
account of religion than any other matter. The majority of hate crimes that are targeted on
religion are targeted on Wiccans, non-christians, or people who have no religion at all, and
most
of the people who commit these hate crimes are usually proclaim themselves to be
Christians. Let me give you and example of a Christian hate crime. The web address of
http://www.godhatesfags.com was created by a CHURCH and their minister. On this site
they clearly target homosexuals. Yes in the Christian beliefs homosexuality is a sin, but so
is stealing, adultry, and swearing; I have yet seen a site name
http://www.godhatesadultures.com have you? As you go in more debth on this page you
are shown a picture of Matthew Shepard, the boy the world knows as being beaten to
death by his father for having a same sex prefrence, floating gracefully on flames. When
you click on his picture the following information is shown to you:
Matthew Shepard died on October 12, 1998, as a result of being brutally
beaten by two demon-possessed hooligans. WBC does not support this
murder: They broke God’s commandment that “thou shalt not kill.” But,
another of God’s commandments is “thou shalt not lie with mankind, as
with womankind: it is abomination.” Matthew Shepard lived his life
breaking this commandment. Unless he repented in his dying hours (and we
hope he did), he is in hell – the same fate that his killers will
receive unless they repent.
(People using Netscape Communicator with the proper plugins can place
your mouse pointer over the image to hear Matthew scream “FOR GOD’S SAKE
LISTEN TO PHELPS!!!” If this doesn’t work, see Matthew’s message from
hell.)
“And in hell he lift his eyes, being in torments…and he cried and
said…have mercy on me…dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool
my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. The smoke of their torment
ascendeth forever and ever; and they hav e no rest day or night.” Luke
16:23,24; Revelation 14:11.
————————————————————————
Matthew Shepard has been in hell for 420 days.
Eternity – 420 days = Eternity
————————————————————————
When Matthew Shepard died on October 12, 1998, every pervert in this
country (from Bill Clinton on down) used his death as a soap box to
promote so-called “gay rights.” In religious protest of this, WBC
picketed the funeral of Matthew Shepard, to inject a little truth and
sanity into the irrational orgy of lies consuming this world. WBC does
not support the murder of Matthew Shepard, and we believe that his
murderers are in violation of God’s commandment that “thou shalt not
kill.” Unless they repent, they will receive the same sentence that
Matthew Shepard received – eternal fire. Unless he repented in the final hours of his life,
he is in hell. He will be in hell for all eternity, “where their worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44. For each day that passes, he
has only eternity to look forward to. All the candlelight vigils, all
the tributes, all the acts of Congress, all the rulings by the Supreme
Court of the United States, will not shorten his sentence by so much as
one day. And all the riches of the world will not buy him one drop of
water to cool hi s tongue.
Those of you reading this Gospel Memorial need to have a very clear
understanding that there is a God in heaven, and He has created a hell
for people who despise His commandments. If you are living a life where
you disregard the commandments of God, l ike Matthew Shepard did, or if
you are supportive of such a lifestyle (either overtly, or through your
apathy), you need to repent. And you need to repent now, because God
will appear to you when you least expect it, saying “thou fool, this
night thy sou l shall be required of thee.” Luke 12:20. Just like He did
to Matthew Shepard.
The following information came verbatium from http://www.godhatesfags.com.
This disgusts me to see an helpless, dead, person being mocked from the grave.
“Listen to Shepards message from hell…” I guess only a TRUE christian church could
come up with something so ignorant as this. Yet they freely mention that homosexuality is
a sin but what about, pre-judgement, descrimination, changing words in the bible, and
ignorance which is fluentlly mentioned on this site. Hate Crimes again target many
religions but what religion this target? As it seems everything BUT Christianity.
I just recognized three types of everyday hate crimes to you. Recognizing, Preventing,
Eliminating, my own personal philosophy on making hate crimes dissapear. I have only
discussed one of my subjects, havn’t I? Well the rest is up to society, to open minded,
understanding, educated people who want to make a diffrence. Myself alone can not
control hate, a million people couldnt control hate, controlling hate takes effort from every
idividual on this planet. Living in harmony, respecting and loving one another for who we
are…it can be done.
You can make a difference:
Please support anti-hate site by visiting and supporting the following sites:
http://www.hatewatch.com
http://www.glaa.org
http://www.anti-racism.net/
By just visiting these sites and reading, understanding, and letting yourself personally
commit to becoming anit-hate you have made a diffrence. If this essay has changed one
persons mind then I know it this message has went through, and can be comprehended by
others around the world. Please just take a stand!
David Buckley
December 5, 1999
Bibliography
http://www.hatewatch.com, http://www.godhatesfags.com, http://www.anti-racism.org, http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.lycos.com
Friends and Family