Step up and make hatred back down
Last week once again we witnessed horrific acts of violence and murder in the United States that targeted members of the African American and Jewish communities. When will we be free from such hatred, inhumane acts and hate crimes that tear at the fabric of a modern society founded upon respect, decency and the principles of equality and justice?
On Wednesday, Oct. 24, a suspect, described as a 51-year-old white man with a history of violence, unsuccessfully attempted to enter the First Baptist Church in Jeffersontown, Ky., that is headed by a black minister with a large African American membership. When unable to enter, he went to a nearby Kroger grocery store, where he is charged with shooting and killing two African American customers.
Then on Saturday, Oct. 27, a suspect, described as a white man in his 40s who had posted anti-Semitic slurs on a white supremacist social media site, entered the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh and is charged with killing 11 members of the congregation and wounding six individuals, including four police officers.
We condemn these barbaric acts in the strongest terms.
One would think that two of the safest environments would be in our schools and houses of worship; unfortunately that is no longer the case.
During our 38 years as a human rights organization, the No. 1 lesson we have taken away from that experience is when members of hate groups and purveyors of hate spew vile messages of hate directed at minority groups, soon those words turn to acts of violence. We learned that lesson locally during the 20 years of the crime spree by theAryan Nations.
It is long overdue that the good people of the United States take a hard look at constructive measures to counter these vicious assaults on our fellow human beings. Here are a few suggestions for consideration to counter these threats while we recognize there are other proposals that have merit.
We urge a review of state and federal hate crime laws on how best to strengthen those acts; a closer awareness by the average citizen to monitor messages of hate and watch for danger signs directed at vulnerable populations; greater mental health resources in our communities; working to reverse the growing incivility in society; being willing to speak up and be an ally for a victim of intimidation/violence; communicating with law enforcement when you discover threats and/or signs of danger; developing and implementing safer measures for our schools and other public places; and importantly in each community, stand up and speak out for human rights and never remain silent in the face of hate.
Our hearts are heavy, aware of the grief born by the victims’ families.
Wishing for a world free of hate,
•••
KCTFHR Board
Christie Wood, president
Tony Stewart, secretary