vision2020
Re: Alleged Wyoming hate crime
Hate crimes are as old as human "civilization" (allegory on Cain vs.
Abel) and formal legislation seems not to have much affect except in
terms of codes on punishment after the fact. Do we really need or want
the Feds to tell us how to think? Why not encourage local community
groups/organizations such as ours to hold public forums to air the
genesis of culturally based hate behaviors, to stimulate open discussion
(many people harbor secretly kept sentiments which, when "exposed" to
themselves, can be dissipated), and to educate the young in particular
about these dangers? There should be venues in our community, such as
civic clubs/organizations, school boards (note increasing school-based
violence), League of Women Voters, Common Cause, ACLU, interfaith
councils, etc. that could host open discussions -- not "lectured-down-to"
kinds of meetings -- that would make people candidly examine the issue
and put the spotlight on their/our own deep feelings, attitudes, social
values, etc. Some cities use the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Holiday in January to review where they are in terms of human rights, and
most universities/colleges do the same, as it is a national, sometimes
state, holiday (Pres. Reagan signed the proclamation) when all segments
of society come together to reflect on one of the nation's leading
spokespersons on the values of respecting cultural-social diversity ("e
pluribus unum") and of coming together for a common purpose. In a major
city where I used to live, the local synagogue was frequently found to be
"acceptable turf" for this; some use a large church, others a civic
auditorium. Why don't we do something like this to get at the roots of
hateful thinking and conduct.? Any suggestions from the 2020 body?
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William K. Medlin
dev-plan associates
930 Kenneth Street
Moscow ID 83843
208/892-0148
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