What are Hate Crimes? Do they still exist today in society?
Hate crimes are crimes motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, typically one involving violence. One example of a group that commits hate crimes is the organization called the Ku Klux Klan.
Image: '16KKKwCross-burning'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304375@N07/2534294657
"The Ku Klux Klan has become a vast enterprise, doing a thriving business in systematic sale of race hatred, religious bigotry, and '100 percent' anti-Americanism."
The KKK was first formed down south in the late 1800's by veterans of the Confederate Army, the KKK was an organization that used violence and threats to restore their rights. This group committed murders and began to have such power over government and society because of how large in number the group was becoming. These crimes were against, all blacks, white Republicans and jews. The KKK wanted to stop the rights of the slaves, and their religious beliefs. The members of the KKK also didn't like the religious views of the Catholics. In Mightier Than The Sword, Roger Streithmatter speaks about how Journalism paved the way for the Ku Klux Klan being noticed. One of the first newspapers to have articles about the KKK was the Commerical Appeal, this newspaper displayed cartoons and reporting of the events that were taking place in Tennessee city.
This picture is from Harpers Weeky Newspaper of African Americans and how the KKK treated them.
(Source:http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/photos/html/1010.html)
The Newspaper The New York World covered the story about the Klan and all of the violent crimes they were creating. This news spread all throughout New York City, getting more and more people to learn what the KKK was all about. Unfortunately, the world reached so many readers and helped the Klan gain more members. Many people in society have never heard of the Klan until the World reported about the violent acts they were occurring down south.
This topic of hate crimes and the KKK chapter peaked my interest because of how many hate crimes still happen today. I think its so unnecessary to have any type of hate towards someone because of who they are. Not to long ago in November 2011 there was a hate crime that took place in Brooklyn, NY, where three cars were torched on fire, and the street was destroyed. Vulgar words were sprayed on the vehicles and park benches, referring to Jews. I can't imagine waking up and looking outside my window and seeing my street destroyed by people that hate me, who don't even know me. It's scary that there are people in the world who have such hate towards others.
(Source: www.dailymail.com)
This picture was found at the crime scene, from November 2011 in Brookyln, NY. The letters K.K.K are sprayed on the van.
Unfortunately, people who commit such heinous crimes often don't stop to think that the people they are harming are also human beings. Certain people believe that they are better than another based on something like race or religion, while the reality is that we're all on the same page. We all work hard to educate ourselves, and we all need to support ourselves and families. Maybe these disturbed individuals just missed the day of kindergarten when their class was taught about the golden rule.
ReplyDeleteIt's mind-boggling to me that people can hate someone just because of what they believe in and look like. I don't understand why people think they are better than somebody else, we're all the same and no one should have to be a victim of a hate crime.
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