MarkBen Paulino
13 December 2011
FD5/Final Exam
Articles one after another confirm the presence of hate crimes and not in just pockets around the country, but widespread and seen in every single state and possibly every city. Hate crimes come from one’s negative feelings towards another, often of different race, religion, sexual orientation. There is no sure fact where these feelings derive from, but as Edward Dunbar, PhD. States, “The current social climate may give [hate crime perpetrators] a chance to act out their feeling in ways that are more socially acceptable than usual” (DeAngelis). By influencing society, we can directly influence social climate and reduce hate crimes. [THESIS] The government may not be able to control society, but it can definitely sway the thoughts of the people by instituting new laws such as allowing gay marriages and illegalizing organizations that discriminate [THESIS].
As long as one’s action doesn’t harm people or promote hatred and discrimination they should be able to do as they please. One reference is allowing same-sex marriages; there has been so much debate and unnecessary time-consumption on this topic. These people entering into a relationship in no way or form affects how I or many others live daily and yet government officials debate over whether it should be legalized. Not only can their time be used to strategize ways to improve the state/country, but they portray same-sex to be of controversy or negative. People then begin to theorize same-sex relationships being wrong or why else would the government delay legalization of same-sex marriages. This theory then becomes fact and belief, which causes people to criticize when couples of same sex are seen.
Not only do we see religious groups that are outwardly against homosexuality, protesting signs saying “Homos will burn in Hell”, but organizations that are racists such as the Ku Klux Klan, also known as KKK. Many know of the KKK as white supremacists who are strongly anti-black and back in the day committed many obscene murders. The KKK still exists and is being allowed to exist by the government. Presumably they do not premeditate any murders, but they sure do not condemn any especially those commited against people of African ancestry. They influence and even entice hate crimes, but because no one from the organization physically assaults people they are allowed to protest and speak racial slurs. Yes, the Bill of Rights protects free speech, but there needs to be a limit, a cutoff. Kramer’s racist tirade is a perfect example, freedom of speech allowed him to attack blacks in his standup, which resulted in people of all race leaving in the middle of his act. A large majority of the population do not condone discrimination, so the government should not worry about amending the people’s “Freedom of Speech”.
Proposing new laws and amending old ones may be difficult, in a sense that people will see laws as easily changeable, thus portraying a weak and unstable government system. Unstable government system brings about doubt and cynicism. Doubt and cynicism then led to protests and movements because everyone will soon believe they have the power to change everything. A society is not only built around its people, but also the laws. If the laws aren’t stable a society can’t function because constant change results in an unstable system. People will have difficulty discerning what can and cannot be done, which then causes rifts and soon pandemonium will occur and we may become easy targets to terrorists.
Growing in Hawaii I like many are predisposed to accepting different races. I’ve traveled, studied abroad and in the Midwest, increasing my interaction with other people of different race and sexual orientation. Fortunately, I have not been personally exposed to hate crimes, but knowing that I or any of these wonderful people I met be hurt due discrimination is unsound. I feel unfortunate for those who discriminate and participate in hate crimes because of their narrow-mindedness they subject themselves to anger and stress, which have been shown to increase health problems. Their narrow-mindedness reduces their ability to meet new people and build new bonds, which I believe regrettable.
Society is influenced by its major public figures such as well known philanthropists, celebrities, and of course the government. If the government stood up and imposed new laws that will show the people where their stance on discrimination is I believe people will rethink about their actions. The next generation will also follow the example that the government has instituted and hopefully hate crimes will decrease. Not only will people be goaded into being less discriminating, but the law will prevent groups like the KKK from influence people and youths to hating blacks or prevent religious groups from hating same sex couples. “The number of active hate groups in the US has grown from 474 in 1997 to 762 in 2004” (Knickerbocker). It seems the amount of hate groups keep rising, but with implementation all these groups could be eradicated and there would be a large reduction of influential haters. The government has so much power and needs to use it.
Works Cited
DeAngelis, Tori. “Understanding and Preventing Hate Crimes.” Monitor on Psychology 32.10 10 Nov. 2001. 13 December 2011 [http: hatecrimes.html="" monitor="" nov01="" www.apa.org=""].
Knickerbocker, Brad. “National Acrimony and a Rise in Hate Crimes.” csmonitor.com. 3 June 2005. 13 December 2011 [http: 0603="" 2005="" p03s01-ussc.html="" www.csmonitor.com=""].
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