Echelon of Hate Crimes, Part 2

One of the biggest jolts of culture shock I ever received was when I attended Texas A&M University back in the early 90s. Not only was it an immediate transplant into a "country-style" culture, but I was tossed into the ring of issues that I'd never really dealt with in my adolescence.

I already felt like a fish out of water just living in Texas... and A&M was like the fillet knife, ready to gut my innards at any time. My first days in school were spent getting acclimated to my new surroundings. I remember walking past old dormitories with Confederate flags draped from the windows. Confederate flags? I vividly remember asking one of my new friends, "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Then came the big debate on whether the flags were heritage or hate. From there, the debate spiraled into what constitutes hate crimes... and further downhill to the point that hate crimes are a violation of free speech. Huh?? Seriously. Did I miss something here? Eventually, my Republican, White counterpart -- who by all means was a very nice guy... and HOT -- honed in on freedom of religious speech. This all came to be when I not only used my 'Blackness' as an example, but my sexuality, too.

He felt that while homosexuality was "okay" with him, people that disagree with it could be accused of inciting violence if they preached their views... especially pastors in church. Why penalize a religious figure for his thoughts and beliefs? Essentially, hate crime laws would be sequestering his freedom to speak as he chooses. I listened to him... perhaps mesmerized by his green eyes, dirty blond hair, and preppy gear. I couldn't volley a response, because quite frankly, I felt it was a good point at the time.

Now, after life has 'hardened' me up a bit, I absolutely disagree with him in retrospect. To my understanding, hate crimes zero in on hate-driven violence... so as long as a pastor is not actually inciting and encouraging violence against the homosexual community, he should have the right to throw fire and brimstone from his pulpit until he's blue (or black) in the face.

So now, I'm curious. Does anyone actually agree with my Republican friend? Does anyone agree that hate crime laws inhibit freedom of religious speech? Can anyone vindicate my hot college-era friend?

Echelon of Hate Crimes, Part I

Ladies and gents... this is one tired Black Man Next Door! Today has been a whirlwind of events, and they aren't quite over. Work has been somewhat busy, toiling away with co-workers of all different walks of life - race, religion, nationality, and sexual orientation.

The melting pot of a harmoniously working team of underlings sparked me to write about times where those differences actually make people clash. Last summer, a gay man was savagely beaten in the gayborhood of Dallas by two hetero-thugs looking for trouble. (Story HERE) The DA's office opted not to pursue this as a hate crime, which enraged many in our community.

Hate crime... issuing a higher echelon of punishment to offenders motivated by hatred or contempt for a certain "group" of people. This is one issue that I've straddled the fence on for quite some time now. It may be shocking to hear this from a Black, gay blogger... but it's true. Ultimately, I am for hate crime legislation, but I acknowledge holes.. problems.. concerns about my stance that need alleviating.

This will more than likely be a four-part post, as there are many aspects of hate crimes that I want to touch on and ping you for your thoughts. First and foremost, aren't all violent crimes an expression of hatred toward another human being? For example: Four White men driving on Peace Street witness a man savagely beating his wife, stop the car, assail him, drag him into the street, and beat him within an inch of his life... staining the concrete with his blood. What is driving their actions? If it's not a strong, negative emotion like hatred... why not simply restrain the man until the cops arrive? But say they didn't... they make this man their bitch.

The real deal to chew on is that this would not be considered a hate crime, even if they know this guy, and have in fact hated the man's guts since the day they met him. Why? Because they are ALL White. If a man brutally rapes a woman, screaming "Bitch! Bitch! Whore! Slut!"... wouldn't you consider that an act of hatred? Communities should shun and fear this type of violent activity regardless of demographics... and I am not totally sure that crimes against a certain demographic instill greater fear than the examples of crimes I just described above. Bottom line... part of me believes that all violent crimes should receive the highest echelon of punishment possible.

Anyone have any thoughts about whether or not hate crimes deserve a higher level of punishment?

Eye for an Eye

An eye for an eye... an ancient phrase that many of us are very familiar with. I was just getting showered and ready for work when I came across a darkly interesting article.

The story of an Iranian woman blinded by acid certainly drives home the point that there are really cruel people out there. Click HERE for the full story.

There is one thing that bothers me about what the victim said, and don't take this as an attack or an effort to demonize her -- but rather, a somewhat obscure phenomenon pertaining to capital punishment. It is happening around the world... from America to Iran... and not only do I see it in victims, but politicians as well.

Here in Texas, home of former President George W. Bush, his words as governor still ring in my head. At the time, Texas was #1 in exacting the death penalty -- and to this day, I'll bet my left nipple it still is. However, when confronted with that sombering statistic, Bush continuously used words like "justice". Never did he, nor other death penalty supporters, use words like "revenge" or "vengeance". Indeed, such words ring of barbarism and other thematic evils. In the story of Ameneh Bahrami, she states:

"I don't want to blind him for revenge. I'm doing this to prevent it from happening to someone else."

Now, let's review the definition of revenge, as queried from Dictionary.com:

1. to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, esp. in a resentful or vindictive spirit: He revenged his murdered brother.

2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge: He revenged his brother's murder.

The bottom line is that capital punishment is revenge. It is vengeance. She did nothing wrong whatsoever, and I sincerely empathize with her.... and yes, it's only natural to resent the guy for what he did. If by some ethereal means, she doesn't resent him whatsoever, I certainly admire her for that. However, I'm sure the society that is pouring the acid more than makes up for the resentment that Ms. Bahrami may not have.

Nonetheless, I do wish we'd just call this what it is. Oh, by the way... I doubt this will prevent some other crazy nut in Singapore, Canada, the United States, Italy, et al. from robbing an innocent person of their eyesight... only the vile, disgusting man that took her eyesight away.

Why is it so difficult to admit revenge when it is exacted? Does it make us a barbaric species? You damned right it does... and it should... because we are. Nevertheless, I wish Ameneh Bharami and other victims of such brutal crimes all the best in life. I always hope that these punishments bring the sense of "closure" that they are intended to provide.

Another Victim of the System

My heart goes out to Timmy Cole and his family, as I read that he was finally exonerated of a 1985 rape he did not commit.

Unfortunately, this fine man died in prison 10 years ago... and it is yet another testament to America's imperfect justice system.

His family is extremely strong for not having ill feelings toward the rape victim for inaccurately singling him out in a lineup. I understand that she was traumatized -- but the right thing to do is simply be honest and say that you aren't sure.

Yet, the most compelling part about this story is that Mr. Cole did not sell out his innocence just to be paroled early. He stayed true to himself, and his legacy is now worthy of the most revered legends.

As we speak, here in my home county, they are combing through cases and using DNA to exonerate dozens of inmates. Meanwhile, I wonder how many innocent people have been put to death. I wonder how much blood is on America's hand, and for those who religiously say "an eye-for-an-eye"... where is the eye coming from in payment for the blinded innocent that we've buried 6 feet under?