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Children
of the Camps 
Matthew Shepard 1977-1998 My
Name Is Matthew Hate Crimes
Prevention Act Articles Help
Make Hate Homeless 
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KOVR 13 |
Sacramento Community
Unity Fund |
Friday, June 26, 1998
Dear Friend,
Thank you for putting out such an educational and meaningful page. It brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. I know that you have suffered greatly in your short years, and in spite of everything, which ranged from threats to your life, threats to bomb your residence, stolen identity, con artistry, to having to sell your home and relocate.
When some people think of hate crimes and prejudice, they think it means spray painting KKK on a garage or using racial slurs. Too often, people don't realize that hateful people cover a far larger array and are too often much more hurtful and lethal.
You write from the heart of a brave and knowledgeable soul, one who slays many dragons with the touch of her fingertips. How many people can say they have that much power?
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Very Sincerely, Charlotte |
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Articles |
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James Byrd, Jr., Fund Account No. 266-130 National Bank P.O. Box 700 Jasper, TX 75951 |
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Torture & Murder
It's impossible for me to not feel sorrow for Mr. James Byrd, Jr., who was recently killed solely because he was an African American man. My heartfelt empathy and condolences go to his family, friends, and people in Jasper (TX), and in additional areas, genuinely grieving the loss of Mr. Byrd's life and the tragedy forced on him by three men accused of murdering him -- and for absolutely no reason.
The trio of suspects: Caucasian men with prior criminal records; and, they are alleged to have ties to white supremacist groups. One such group has a "peaceful" rally planned for June 27, 1998. Though many media outlets have reported the exact location, I won't relate that information -- because I categorically refuse to give such a group gratis advertising or promotion.
It has been alleged by rally organizers, the purpose of the convergence is to "disavow any connection" with the three suspects. My opinion is, the stated purpose may not equate with the reality: The presence of hate-mongering sympathizers will non-verbally signal support resonating quite loudly for the violence perpetrated against Mr. Byrd. I suspect, as many people likely do as well: Actions speak. Those who do not seek association, with the men accused, certainly do not have to put themselves within closer proximity to the suspects, which, in fact, will be the effect of holding such a rally, no matter how anyone seeks to sugar-coat the truth. White-wash wears thin, and, after a while, people see beyond the facade.
Others might opine, as I do: Hate-mongers united are not mourning the death of Mr. Byrd. They are exploiting his death to advance their stature -- by a "show" that, most probably, will convey support for one another, while claiming to "disavow" those accused of revisiting and enlivening an extremely bleak movement in American History: Hate-motivated killing. If distance is sought from the suspects, then, don't draw near them. It is that plain -- even for the most simple-minded.
Hatred, in my humble opinion, is not an opinion; it's an emotion. Ignorance revealed, by the hate-filled, in propaganda also is not an opinion; it's a state of mind (and lack thereof). Words and actions are vehicles by which emotion is transported to a fixed position in expression. In my estimation, KKK, Aryans, White Aryan Resistance, and the like, as exemplified in their (often) self-conflicting rhetoric, may suffer from STD: Stupid Thought Development. STD has been entirely preventable; those who created the hate-mongers could have exercised the option to: wear prophylactics; use the rhythm method; try a diaphram; seek the pill; be "fixed" (neutured or spayed) to reduce the risk of having any unwanted, possibly unloved, and potentially maltreated, poorly or ineffectively nurtured offspring.
Hate is not innate; it is learned, conditioned, and cultured. Children and adults show symptoms of hate, manifested by behavior: how others are treated and how expressions are rendered. To ignore warning signs -- the ways in which interaction with others and with the world occurs -- is to miss the opportunity to address and diffuse problems in the making or on the horizon.
Millions of people have had their much-beloved pets "fixed" -- based on whether the offspring would be provided with a loving and compassionate environment. If people can consider family planning for their pets, then they could, at the very least, also think of the depth and quality of commitment that can be afforded to a child prior to giving birth. It's known as: Responsibility, and it lasts a lifetime, not merely until a child reaches the age of majority. While it may seem less stressful for parents to bypass having heart-to-heart discussions with a child (no matter the age), any benefits will be short-term. Invariably: The rest of society will encounter that child, who is anticipated to grow into a responsible person capable of recognizing others also have rights to peace and safety, and without direct or implied threat to their lives.
RAHOWA. Know what the letters symbolize? An acronym, seen on several web pages pushing an agenda founded on expanding hatred, and it means: RAcial HOly WAr. The only thing that those claiming to "fight" for racial purity may be achieving is, a minority of Caucasians are warring over each other while seeking support for their vacuous "cause" -- diluted and ineffective. Their resources lack; they are absent the backing by those who think above gene-level.
Try reality on for size,
dear racial separatists (racists) and bigots,
Anne M. Cox
June 21, 1998
Healing from Hate Crimes
There is no single solution to addressing hate crimes that is right for all people. My response, though, is this: Look at it deeply, and know that I am affected when people are targets of hate. I've seen, and have read closely, hate propaganda on the Net. I've found it most disconcerting, and I've asked myself, "Why does it exist?" The foundation that permits me to express my disappointment -- over misdirected use of human potential seen channeled to arouse contempt -- also enables others to state their views that are hate-filled: The Constitution of the United States. I feel deep sadness for those who have chosen to apply privileges afforded by the Constitution in ways intended to demean or dehumanize people. They are hurting themselves, only that's not how they see it. They believe that their rhetoric will enhance their existence and that of their predecessors. They are, in my First Amendment-protected opinion, very much mistaken. They are missing the beauty of life: Myriad opportunities by narrowing their choice of contacts, friends, colleagues, activities, reading materials, et cetera. Life itself. It's a wondrous and magnificent collage of ideas, people, places, events, and experiences. One cannot fully enjoy life while cutting oneself off from the chances to feel it -- in all its richness and diversity.
I've felt sorrow and anger while reading rationalizations of why so and so should hate this or that group. More important, though, I've felt hope. Rather than optimize the negative, and focus on that, I choose to look at what's good and positive taking place: Education. Let people see and reach their own conclusions about what they read. The aspiration that people do know what's right and wrong comes from: Trust. I trust that those who wrote the U.S. Constitution didn't make a mistake; they knew what they were doing. People exposed to various ideologies can and will apply thought and feeling processes to make up their own minds. It's a jewel: Democracy.
My response to hate crimes and healing stems from having had such crimes committed against people in the place I call home: my community. The text on pages, you're about to read, comes from a publication: Healing from Hate Crimes (May 1995). There are several things I learned in the process of presenting the publication, and since: information raises awareness; problems have answers; people are very much capable of, and also responsible and accountable for, making their own choices.
Here's what you'll find in continuing to read: the impact and outcome from a real-life, criminal case of hate crimes committed in Sacramento County, California, by a 19-year-old young man named Richard Campos; impact statements by two of his intended "victims"; and, most important in this medium, links to further self-awareness and education about how to address hate. On the following pages, the words -- edited a little as possible and solely for clarity on the Net -- evolved from the publication Healing from Hate Crimes.
Where We Start... The Sum of Each Step
The tragedy about tragedy is: It appears to take tragedy to unite hearts that never need stand divided in the first place. People are capable of accomplishing incredible, positive feats. I can only dream a world in which our full potential may, someday, be actualized. What a world we could have. Maybe: Someday. Hate crimes committed in our communities, across our country, must not be overlooked. Each step we take may carry us closer to a goal with a positive outcome. We take one step at a time. The distance we travel may be measured by the sum of each step and someday the thunder of our steps will resonate into the future. And maybe, someday, healing from hate crimes will be a thing of the past, depending on the steps we each take.
May we each strive to make this world a better, more healthful, and safer place.
A
Lesson: Avoid an Abyss of Indifference Letter
to the Honorable James T. Ford, Superior Court Victim
Witness Statement, 1995 Sentencing Summer
of Hate, Sign of Hope Help
Make Hate Homeless Rock-Soft
Fences Internet
Filtering, Letter to Senator John McCain Related
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