Monday, June 1, 2015

What Can We Do To Stop Hate Crimes

By Ericka Marsh


Too many news stories exist concerning the latest crimes of hate, and the public outcry rises with each additional story. These crimes of passion, rooted in deep belief systems, present difficult issues to address, let alone remove. What can we do to stop hate crimes may be easier than you think. Here are some ideas to help get started.

Take action. The first step is to start talking with your friends and neighbors and coworkers about this subject and impress on them that the people in the community must stand up and bring an end to these horrors. Create a page or group on social media that includes a public calendar feature so everyone can log in and find out what is scheduled. Establish a weekly meeting to keep people involved and excited about doing their part to end these crimes.

Do some homework before you get out in the field. If addressing a recent crime of hate, find out all the facts and check the public records for additional information. Sometimes courts seal criminal records. Do not let this stop you. Try to find common facts that help in planning your future events.

Take other members with you, so they present a united front when speaking with people of authority. Remind them that your group is more than just watching the neighborhood. It intends to provide real help in addressing these horrid crimes and show them your calendar to prove the determination of your group.

Alternative behavior is a great idea. When people have activities they enjoy, they are in a good mood. Use city parks and recreation facilities to conduct competitive activities for all ages. Crafts competition, sports events, and even cook-offs are a great way to keep people involved in peaceful events. Always think about long-range plans and keep the goal clearly focused.

Constantly speak up and present a determined movement to end these senseless crimes. Teaching tolerance to children is the best place to start. Young minds thrive on logic and understanding, and even parents can not change their point of view. It is the future that must change, and the children of today are the ones who hold the keys to a better way of living.

By all means, set up a strong victim support network. These people need emotional support, legal support, and most often medical support. Lobby your leaders to take stronger action against these crimes and continue to dig deeper and more thoroughly than ever to find the answers everyone needs. Victims need support, not ridicule. Personally interview the department heads at your local facilities who work with victims of all types of abuse.

Bullies do not always commit hate crimes. Sometimes they start out with a simple difference of opinion and escalate into a full-blown confrontation. The root of the problem lies in belief systems taught at home. Enlightenment is the answer, and that includes presentations designed to get the point across that law abiding citizens will no longer tolerate this type of violence.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment