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Commentary
REFLECTIONS: Hate crimes on rise; recognize victims are children of God Bishop Woodie W. White, Jan 28, 2010
Bishop Woodie White
By Bishop Woodie W. White UMR Columnist
Late last fall, the U.S. Senate passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It is regrettable that such legislation is necessary in the early-21st century.
The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming man, whose tragic murder in 1998 received nationwide media attention. It’s also named for James Byrd, an African American who was dragged to his death in Texas, also in 1998.
Both of these tragic incidents have been called “hate crimes.” Shepard was killed because he was gay; Byrd, because he was black. I have often wondered about the journey to hate. When does an individual decide that other human beings, because of their color or sexual orientation, can be so devalued that they can be ridiculed, taunted, attacked and eventually killed?
What happens in the mind and heart of these perpetrators of death? What did they hear—or not hear—in home, community and even church? When did they conclude that being different was bad and not to be tolerated? When was the decision made that a person became a thing based upon outward appearances?
These are the prerequisites of hate crimes.
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act determines that a hate crime has occurred when persons are targeted as the victims of violent acts because of their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Sadly, the number of such violent acts has been growing across the nation, so much so that special legislation had been called for to enable the Justice Department to help local and state authorities in investigating and prosecuting them. Where local authorities are reluctant to act on such allegations, the department is authorized to initiate its own investigations.
Some people think that such legislation is either unnecessary, or that some groups should not be a part of this protected class—homosexuals, for instance. Studies have indicated, however, that violent acts against persons because of their sexual orientation are both under-reported and growing. Still others insist that the numbers are so insignificant that it doesn’t require special legislative attention.
Our church and faith teaches that all persons are of sacred worth. No human being should be devalued because of who he or she is, or because of his or her accent, or color of skin. And under no circumstances should they be the objects of violence!
In a wonderful little book, I’m Proud of You: My Friendship With Fred Rogers, Tim Madigan describes several moving encounters with the late TV personality, Mr. Rogers. One story is especially compelling.
While dining with a friend from another city, Rogers told him about a fundraiser for the family of a young man dying of cancer. Though Rogers wanted to attend, his health and schedule would not permit it. His friend volunteered to go in his place.
Rogers responded, “I would never ask you to do that. You don’t even know these people.”
“Of course I do,” responds his friend. “They’re children of God.”
Let’s remember that all who are the victims of bias, hate or violence for reasons of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability are, above all else, children of God!
Retired Bishop White is the denomination’s Endorsing Agent for Chaplain Ministries and bishop-in-residence at Candler School of Theology.
Bishop Woodie White
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