Understanding Intolerance
Effects of Intolerance
What Can I Do?
www.aclu.org
Equal Rights Advocates
for women and girls.
www.equalrights.org
Human Rights Campaign: Gay/Lesbian Equal Rights
www.hrc.org
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
www.naacp.org
Human Rights Watch
Defending Human Rights Worldwide
www.hrw.org
Toerance.org Fighting hate, promoting tolerance.
www.tolerance.org
What are the consequences of social intolerance?
The consequences of social intolerance are many.
Hate, fear, violence, and the acceptance of unfair treatment against minorities and others whose lifestyles are different from the community in which they live.
The pages I have set up here is my way of helping to stop what I see as a growing problem in this country. It is not okay to discriminate against anyone. Everyone in this country has the right to live in any way that they choose under the law.
We must be aware of the rights we will loose under an intolerant administration.
Another upsetting thing I see happening in this country is the erosion of our civil liberties. Nothing good can come from taking away individual rights.
In the Spotlight Hate Crime
Hate Crime - Summary
Hate crime is defined as "the violence of intolerance and bigotry, intended to hurt and intimidate someone because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability." (Hate Crime: The Violence of Intolerance, Department of Justice Community Relation Service, 2001)
These crimes have been plaguing our country for centuries, tearing at the very foundation of our country and destroying our neighborhoods and communities.
Racial bias motivated more than half (52.5 percent) of the 8,706 single-bias hate crime offenses reported in 2003. Religious bias and sexual orientation bias each accounted for 16.4 percent of all reported single-bias hate crimes reported. Ethnicity/national origin bias prompted 14.2 percent of offenses, and disability bias spurred 0.5 percent of bias-motivated offenses” (Hate Crime Statistics, 2003, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2004).
Every hour ...
someone commits a hate crime.
Every day ...
at least eight blacks, three whites, three gays, three Jews and one Latino become hate crime victims.
Every week ...
a cross is burned.
Bias is a human condition, and American history is rife with prejudice against groups and individuals because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other differences.
The 20th Century saw major progress in outlawing discrimination, and most Americans today support integrated schools and neighborhoods. But stereotypes and unequal treatment persist, an atmosphere often exploited by hate groups. Spread on the Internet and accessible by personal computers, hate clearly knows no geographic bounds.
The good news is ...
All over the country people are fighting hate. Standing up to hate mongers. Promoting tolerance and inclusion. More often than not, when hate flares up, good erupts, too.
From Toreance.org
Tolerance is a personal decision that comes from a belief that every person is a treasure. I believe that America's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry can turn that diversity into a source of prejudice and discrimination.
To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own.
To fulfill my pledge, I will
examine my own biases and work to overcome them
set a positive example for my family and friends
work for tolerance in my own community
speak out against hate and injustice.
We Share A World
For all our differences, we share one world. To be tolerant is to welcome the differences and delight in the sharing.
The following predicate offenses are most commonly charged as hate crime:
assault and aggravated assault (e.g., threats, threats with a weapon), battery (e.g., physical attack), criminal damage to property, and/or telephone harassment.
Of course, more violent crimes or felonies also may be bias motivated such as:
arson, criminal sexual assault, and/or murder.
What determines if a crime is bias motivated?
language or symbols (e.g., slurs)
severity of attack
previous incidents in same area or by same offender
lack of provocation by victim
absence of other motives (e.g., money)
offender's membership in hate group
timing (e.g., religious holiday, world events)
Why does Hate Crime deserve special attention?
A hate crime is bigotry at its worst. It is hostile, dangerous, and can not be tolerated in a democratic society. Hate crime hurts everyone. If ignored, a hate crime can perpetuate fear and distrust and inflame tensions between the targeted group, the larger community, and law enforcement officials.
Perpetrators target victims not because of who they are as individuals, but because of unfair stereotypes. Hate crimes involve an infinite number of groups, situations, and places. Hate crime is not a high percentage of total crime, but is given priority by officials because of its profound negative impact on the victim and the community. Federal, state, and local governments have made fighting hate crime a priority by enacting and enforcing strong laws.
Questions or comments?
Contact us at: peopleagainstintolerance@yahoo.com
