Hate Crimes Don’t Happen in a Vacuum

Born during the “Great Depression,” this old curmudgeon has seen a lot of history pass under the bridge of life, but perhaps not as much as some of you. Looking back, it seems we fail to learn little if anything from our history.

While we easily see the hypocrisy in others, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to see our own hypocrisy. A clear example is to look again to the civil rights demonstrations in the South in the 1950s and 1960s. Vividly broadcast on TV, we in the North were horrified by the harsh police tactics of using clubs, fire hoses and dogs, and shocked by the angry and hateful words shouted by Southerners.

Most Northerners cried out in unison: “Don’t these Southerners understand they live in a country whose constitutional foundations guarantee every citizen equal rights! Why can’t they see their hypocrisy!”

However, when the civil rights demonstrations moved North in the late 1960s, and demands for equal treatment were made for school busing and integrating housing in the suburbs, Northern hypocrisy was exposed.

Riots by whites erupted in Chicago, Newark and many other northern cities. So now, why are we so surprised at the recent tragic Orlando massacre on June 12?

Nearly every American clearly sees the hypocrisy and the connection of suicidal violence with the teachings of the puritanical, anti-gay, anti-transgender, anti-female, anti-religious- pluralism versions by some versions of the Islamic religion. However, few see the hypocrisy of the same puritanical, anti-gay, anti-transgender, anti-female, and anti-religious pluralism teachings by some wings of Christianity. Don’t kid yourself; the shooter was raised here and he did not have to go far to find those same anti-human sentiments expressed by red-blooded Americans, by lawmakers seeking to create second-class citizens because of who they are, who they love and how they choose to express their ideas in the world.

Look at North Carolina’s fixation with restrooms. So far this year, more than 200 anti-L.G.B.T. bills have been introduced in 34 states. Hate crimes don’t happen in a vacuum. They are born and grow where bigotry is allowed to fester, where minorities are vilified and where people are stereotyped and marginalized for political gain — to raise money and to turn out the vote.

Unfortunately, the current state of American politics is driven too often by politicians who see prejudice as something to exploit - not extinguish.

When will we ever learn?

The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Hate Crimes Don’t Happen in a Vacuum."