Hate Crimes and the Fights of Yesterday

I was listening to a program on NPR about hate groups in America, today, which disturbed me with some realizations. The discussion focussed on racially charged, divisive rhetoric taking place in the halls of Congress, and from leaders like Texas Governor Rick Perry (who is openly threatening Sucession from the union). The sentiments expressed are the top of a chain of communication which is inciting hate crimes across the United States. Now, I no more want to legislate niceness, than I assume to control such a thing as hate. I just think we could stand to have more of a conversation about it. Sunshine being the best disinfectant and all.

I grew up in a small town, with a tradition of honoring our forefathers in all the ways they have been honorable. As recently as this year, the 'Sons of Confederate Veterans' placed a wreath on my 3rd-great-grandfather's grave. I mentioned to a friend of mine that I wasn't sure how I should feel about it, and the response I got was surprisingly wise. My friend said, "Be proud of your family. Just don't keep fighting old fights."

My question about the event was "why?" though. The people living today have no idea who my 3rd-great-grandfather was, or anything he might have done in the service of the Confederate States of America. I have no idea whether he was a hero who saved the lives of his company, or a stamp clerk at a military post office. I just know he came back home and raised the man who was grandfather to my grandfather.

I'm not offended in any way about my heritage, nor do I find it particularly offensive. I just know that times have changed. The things people believed about other people are different these days, and, knowing the character of my family through the years, I believe my 3rd-great-grandfather would most likely agree with my assessment of our place in the world. We are not at fault for the past. History doesn't chain our development, it gives us a foundation to grow forth from.

Which brings me to the people who commit "hate" crimes. This particular character I have in mind, is proud past the point of respect of his forefathers. He wishes to hold the glory of those years in his hands today. He finds little honor in the way he can provides for his life, and thus yearns for times and trials and moments of real purpose. He imagines stories whereby his grandfather's rag-tag group of "rebels" (which has its own appeal), fight their way to safety in defense of their family and home. Anyone who's seen the movie "The Outlaw Josie Wales," with Clint Eastwood knows these tales. But times today are different.

The people who benefit most from the division of this nation are pulling every string they have at their disposal to invigorate the cracks in the ties that bind us all together. Using my great-grandfather, and Mexican drug violence, and ridiculous stories about socialism to divide us, while using a quote from Thomas Jefferson, with which they have nothing else in common, as just call to arms. I've not been fooled into believing some crazy plan is being hatched which could not possibly exist without overt evidence of itself. We all really do have to learn to live together in this place, if we all want to continue to have this country.

It would be great for me to carve out my place... a country all my own, where everyone thinks what I think, and there is no hunger or disease. But these are the fantasies of a child... even an adult-aged child. All the realities of life must be allowed to be real in our minds.

I will admit I have had romantic thoughts of my great-great-great-grandfather's adventures, but I realize there is still a fight going on. There is a cold war raging between the people who think Columbus "Discovered the New World," and those who think he and a band of Spanish pirates swindled and killed the indigenous peoples of America and assumed control of their lands... and its ok to realize the truth.

So, remember this come November. There are some of us who read, relate our thoughts about events, and address concerns about our safety, stability and overall well-being... And, there are some who believe they are in this self-same romantic dream where Pluto is the ninth planet, and whatever else "they" say about the world is true.

When your neighbor says ignorant things, you have a mildly ignorant neighborhood. When the supposed "leaders" of the nation say ignorant things, you have an ignorant country. We must address this life as though we actually believe we are looking toward the future. Participating in stories based on ignorant, or misinformed pasts, will never provide the security I feel we deserve. When the string pullers can reach the highest offices in the land, the subsequent subjugation of huge sectors of the population can be called nothing less than endentured servitude... or serfdom.

There is no one person I can think of, who may presume to lord over the rest of us. The are several that are trying. This is still the story of America. The preservation of our family names depend on our ability to talk about everything, including uncomfortable moments in the true history of the world.

Inequality still persists in the land where all people are "created equal." Be it racial, gender, ethnic or any other form, if you look closely, we still have much to discuss.

What can one person do? Just share your thoughts as I have shared mine. I'm certainly not above being wrong, but I do feel justified in feeling how I feel. If I've said something you agree with, share this essay with someone else. We can make our world better. We just have to stop fighting old fights.