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 its exclusion policy

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

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