On Hate Crimes in Moscow

["Jerry L. Schutz" <jschutz@moscow.com>]

Visionaries,

As Wil Hendrick's partner, a member of the Gay Community, and a mostly
life-long Moscow resident I would like to express my thoughts about this
discussion about hate crimes and the tragedy that happened to Wil.

I have been asked by the media in almost every interview I have done "Do you
think this was a hate crime?"  My answer always has  been and still is a
definitive NO.  Has this ever been reported?  No.  Why? Because my answer
doesn't sell papers.

A hate crime is an act of terrorism.  The terrorists WANT their handy work
to be found.  They want to intimidate and create fear in the group which the
attack was against.

The fact that it took 45 months to locate any remains in Wil's case, and
that Matthew Shepard was found within 24 hours should demonstrate that.  A
cross burning in a lawn, a beating in the street, a yelled slur at a person,
a plane crashing into a building, a mosque, synagogue or church being
burned; these could be hate crimes IF the intent is to intimidate and create
fear.

The MPD and other law enforcement agencies investigating this case have had
no indication as to how Wil perished.  There is NO evidence to indicate that
Wil was a victim of a hate crime.

Because he was gay, or because he was Native American could have been a
reason.
It could have just as easily been some other completely different reason. In
my mind, this does not have the marks of a hate-crime.

Before you go off beating your drum and decrying Moscow as a haven for hate,
just stop.  Before you start talking about something you know nothing about,
just stop.  Do not desecrate the memory of a wonderful man with rumors and
speculation.  Do not tarnish the reputation of an eclectic North Idaho town
with gossip.  Just stop.

If at some future point, when evidence is presented then you can start your
drum beating.  But not now. This has been an extremely painful event for our
entire family, and the community as well.  This was something that even
today I say, "Stuff like this isn't supposed to happen in Moscow."  I still
believe that.

This should not happen in Moscow.  The attitude of intolerance and
polarization in Moscow and on this list is not healthy.  Moscow has always
prided itself as being as bastion of inclusion not exclusion.  It's what
makes Moscow special.

I'm reminded of the first movie I ever saw, "Bambi", Thumper said: "My mama
always told me if you can't say somethn' nice, don't say anything at all."
I know that by the diverse nature of people in Moscow, that we will never
agree on anything.  But we can't we at least be civil to one another.  Wil
would have wanted that.

As a personal request from myself and Wil's parents, please cease using Wil
as your poster boy for hate crimes in Moscow.

Jerry L. Schutz


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