LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Hate is a Four Letter Word |
by Steve Elkins |
Whether yelled out loud, or whispered softly, hate is an ugly word. It evokes the strongest emotions, and inflicts greater pain than any other word. When it is used as a weapon, hate can instill fear in persons who find themselves outside what might be considered "the norm" in a particular community. In fact, it wasn't long ago that these "outsiders" were routinely subjected to assaults for no other reason than for being different. All too often, hate crimes took place while men and women, who were otherwise good people, stood silent, unwilling participants in bias motivated crimes. We have made progress toward rectifying these wrongs. It's been a long process of public educationplus hard fought court battlesbut most Americans are now in agreement that hate crimes are more serious than similar, non-bias crimes. Across the country, 39 states have increased penalties for crimes based on race, color, religion or national origin. The FBI crime statistics report sexual orientation as the third highest bias crime, yet only 21 of those states (including Delaware) consider it important to extend this protection to include sexual orientation. Legislation is not a panacea for this problem, that much we know. Stronger laws will not curb such crimes, at least not by themselves. It requires action by men and women no longer willing to overlook homophobia in the workplace, the community, the home, or the church. It requires people who will not accept "boys will be boys" as an excuse when their neighbor's son is caught gay-bashing. It requires fair-minded people demanding zero-tolerance for hate crimes. This is not about special rights for one group of people. It is about basic human rights for all people. Civil-rights activist Bayard Rustin stated many years ago, "I believe the human family is a single unit. Therefore, one has to fight for justice for all. If I do not fight bigotry, wherever it is, bigotry is thereby strengthened. And to the degree that it is strengthened, it will, thereby, have the power to turn on me." Now is the time for all of us to join together in building safe and inclusive communities, with room for all. Steve Elkins is Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 12, Aug. 27, 1999 |