Hate Crimes

With the Trayvon Martin case blaring almost daily on the front page news, we're all well aware of the problem of hate crimes. Most of America is quite certain that George Zimmerman coldly cut down this fine young man in the prime of youth simply because of racial hatred.

And you can see why. According to the FBI, a total of 7,722 incidents and 9,080 offenses of hate crimes were reported in 2006 alone. Of the 7,330 known offenders, 58.6% were white and 20.6% were black. Some 9,652 victims were identified, with 52% of them targeted because of race. Something like 19% of them were because of sexual orientation. Those are big numbers.

Of course, some hate crimes go unnoticed. The Gay and Lesbian community assures us that many of the hate crimes they experience go unreported. Others are reported, but go unnoticed. Last month, for instance, seven white people were beaten by mobs of black men in Grand Rapids, MI. While Zimmerman is assumed to have shot Martin based on race, these mobs left no doubt. They told one of their victims, "This is what you deserve you white piece of ...". It's a hate crime that has gone unnoticed. While the unjustice (as opposed to "injustice" because so far justice has not been served) of the Trayvon Martin case has the nation's attention, the murder of Daniel Adkins has gone unnoticed. He was an unarmed hispanic man walking his dog and was shot to death by a black man because he felt threatened. No uproar there.

But perhaps the biggest hate crime of all is going by silently. No one appears to notice. No one appears to care. If someone does raise their hand -- "Um, excuse me ... is anyone aware of this?" -- they are ridiculed as reactionary and over-zealous. What hate crimes are these? According to Massimo Introvigne, a human rights representative for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a Christian dies every 5 minutes for their faith. According to Assist News, more Christians were killed for their faith in the 20th century than were martyred in the total history of Christianity. You must understand. In 2000 years of Christendom, an estimated 70 million Christians died for their faith. Some 45.5 million of those died in the 20th century.

Hate crimes are deplorable. Truly awful. Violence, cruelty, killing because of racial prejudice or even sexual preference. (Wikipedia reports that in 2004 2% of hate crimes were against heterosexuals, so it happens to all types.) We're all agreed (well, almost all -- someone is doing these crimes) that hate crimes are horrendous. Apparently, though, while all hate crimes are created evil, but some are more evil than others. Given the silence of the lambs (because people tend to be sheep) on the deaths (let alone violence and cruelty) of Christians, it would appear that this kind of hate crime is much more acceptable in the world than others. In some places it is endorsed. In some places it is the law. And while it's not as big in America today, it looks, based on the talk, like some would like it to be. We are opposed to hate ... as long as it's not those we hate.