If someone is killed because of their race, sexual orientation, or religion, they are no deader than the person who's killed for their wallet. More importantly, the damage to their families and the unimaginable grief felt by their loved ones is no more poignant, and no more important.
In our opinion, the very idea of a "hate crime" cheapens the very real suffering of the victims of non-hate crimes. It also creates opportunities for unscrupulous people and organizations to cry "hate crime" for their own gain and to achieve their own objectives.
The Center of the Race is one such organization. More commonly known as El Centro de la Raza and founded in the 1960's their stated mission is to celebrate Latino cultures. They are also the group given permission to raise the Mexican National Flag in order to celebrate Mexican Independence; the group that also "forgot" to return and remove it. They were the first to raise the banner of victimization, the first to cry "racism" and "hate crime," and the last to admit any responsibility for their roll in a series of screw-ups that lead to Peter Ryan Lynch's removal of and subsequent shredding of the Mexican flag.
(Sidebar)In point of fact, El Centro de la Raza still has not taken any responsibility and our Eyes tell us that they have forwarded to the U.S. Attorney a photo taken from a MySpace video of Mr. Lynch shooting targets at a range as proof of his racist beliefs (view the video here). The Center of the Race wants Mr. Lynch to be prosecuted for "hate crimes."
When you read "The Center of the Race" what group did you honestly believe we were talking about? When translated to English El Centro de la Raza sounded to us like some white supremacist organization. Since "race" is part of their name, could it be that race plays an important role in their thinking? Isn't that a form of racism in and of itself?
(End Sidebar)
The target being used looks to us like the one to the right. Could it be a man that comes from an ethnic minority... sure. But our Eyes tell us that the same target is used by a number of police departments across the country, including the Miami Dade police department. We hardly believe that shooting at a commonly available target is evidence of racism.Even if the video was proof positive of some form of racist belief, it's not proof that Mr. Lynch's actions including ripping the Mexican flag to pieces, was racially motivated.
As further proof of "hate," El Centro de la Raza, on its website presents a couple of posts that they attribute to Mr. Lynch; posts that were found on MySpace.com. Let's assume that they are genuine ( in fact we believe they are), when we read his comments in context and not parsed for effect, we find the language a bit too vulgar and probably over the top, but Mr. Lynch is actually advocating open boarders stating "seriously stop wasting our time on them, let them in and tax them." (Read the la Raza PDF of Mr. Lynch's post here.)
Would we choose to express our beliefs in the manner that Mr. Lynch did... no. But one of the freedoms that the flag he is so concerned about honoring - the flag of the United States of America - is the freedom to express himself. You may not agree with him, you may not like his message, and you may not like the way he said it, but at least for now he has every right to say it.
We'd point out that those same freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, symbolized by the flag that they helped dishonor and are being freely exercised by students who are members of El Centro de la Raza; a group with "race" in their name and "hate" on their lips. Frankly, we wouldn't have it any other way.
20 comments:
Dear Hate, I mean LA Raza.Keep pushing your hate we are wise to you, and fed up with your hatred for anyone who is different than you. The game is over crawl back under the rock you came from. Are you students here legally ? Who is paying for your education ? Lets see if you will answer, and tell the truth for once.
I guess I dont see their point about the video, a guy shooting a paper target that is commercially produced. Its not like he hand made race based targets. FYI, at some of the bigger shooting schools you only see situational targets that depict White guys. Now I understand why -- we are the only ones who dont bitch. Sort of like how the law & order shows always depict the bad guys as white, even when they are based on real life cases where the offenders were of other races.
It's too bad this blog has turned into a breeding ground for bigotry rhetoric, give a clear indication that racism is alive and well in America!
Yes master I'll keep my mouth shut!
How can the "very idea of a 'hate crime' cheapen(s) the very real suffering of victims of non-hate crimes"? Does that mean you would treat the grieving family members of a hate crime victim differently because you "hate the concept" that what happened was considered criminal? Hitler would have enjoyed your outlook.
Mr. Lynch had several civilized options open to him short of ripping up someone else's flag. He made the extra effort in an expression of hatred, intolerance and bigotry. He should be prosecuted for a hate crime.
Quite the contrary...Mr Lynch used a very civilized option. He merely tore down an illegally flown banner of a foreign power on US soil. Had he been as uncivilized as the above post suggests, he would have used the El Centro de la Raza members for target practice instead of the commercially available paper targets.
Any organization that uses the term "Race" in their organizational name, and is not in fact concerned with contests of speed, may well be assumed to be a racist organization. These organizations invariably cry foul over any real or imagined slight ("victim status") until such time as they gain the upper hand. Then they become the oppressors of all who are not like them. Just like the Nazi's of 10930's Germany...just like El Centro de la Raza wishes they could do.
What is "civilized" about tearing down a flag and ripping it up? And why is the next alternative in your mind the "use of El Centro de la Raza members for target practice"?
Your claim that "these organizations cry foul... until such time as they gain the upper hand. Then they become oppressors.." requires some concrete historical examples. Provide some, please.
I was wondering the other day - What would another country think if we lived there (France, Mexico, Germany, Canada ...) and put out our US flag on the fourth of July? Lights and all for a few days.
It also occured to me, that I'm considered handicapped by appearance, but I never get treated as a person with a disability. Maybe it's because I don't walk around expecting it or because I don't choose to live like I'm disabled - I even forget. I act and feel as though I'm no different from the rest of society ... perhaps that's why no one treats me any differently.
Hate is everywhere and living life with a chip on you shoulder, always feeling you're being repressed and assuming everyone is out to victimize you really gets old. If you want to be considered equal - live your life like you ARE equal. Once you ask for special privledges you make yourself standout as NOT equal at all.
There are all sorts of groups segregating themselves. The NAACP, BET on cabel, I believe they even started a separate Awards show for blacks.... WTH! As an anglo, I call that reverse discrimination. You want to be equal - stand and live that way - then I'll treat you as such.
I will ask again. Are you legal ? Who is paying foe your education ?
"How can the "very idea of a 'hate crime' cheapen(s) the very real suffering of victims of non-hate crimes"? Does that mean you would treat the grieving family members of a hate crime victim differently because you "hate the concept" that what happened was considered criminal?"
To answer your second question the answer is no, and that's exactly the point, a crime is committed in each case and laws already exist to address the criminal action. To the commentor that thinks this POV (against hate crime legislation) is bigoted rhetoric, I think you may be missing the point.
My understanding is that hate crime laws seek to apply different sets of standards and punishments (often harsher) based on motivation, this is what may be an affront to other victims of the same crime, only not hate motivated).
As in, "I'm sorry, the thug would've received a much longer sentence for putting that bullet in your spleen, if only he had hated you instead of just wanting your money."
Now, we do have laws that consider motive, intent and state-of-mind, that's not the question.
I believe the question is: are the laws we currently have insufficient to discourage and punish offenders? Keep in mind that, as distasteful as it may be, you are at liberty to hate (as well as speak, so don't keep quiet). Taking illegal action based on that hate is already a crime (by definition), is that not sufficient?
Please explain why hatred needs a whole seperate category of laws, that's what I'm missing.
Someone asked for a concrete historical example-- let me give you one from head of the "La RAza" organization as reported in the San Antonio papers:
Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, founder of La Raza, has proudly said: “We have an aging white America…. They are dying…. They are ******** in their pants with fear! I love it!” He then demands: “We have got to eliminate the gringo, and what I mean by that is if the worst comes to the worst, we have got to kill him.”
Hope that answers your question.
1 post up... Ok Peter Lynch quit trying to enflame people with your BS. You commited a crime and you will stand trial for it. I hope you are convicted, sentenced to a fair amount of time for your crimes and are removed from our University for your actions.
Why should they remove Peter Lynch from the University? At least he has paid his dues to this country with his service in the military. Let's start with every illegal student who is attending the University on my dime. These people are called illegal for a reason.
no it wasnt Lynch posting that above about La Raza, it was I. I suggest you Google or look through Youtube for Dr / Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez head of La Raza.. you can see at least 7 videos of him there on Youtube at speaking engagements ; he is basically Hitler with melanin and a different accent.. fair is fair, and that guy is way bigger a bigot than Lynch will ever be shown to be.
Ummm last poster, I too did a google search and the youtube search -- (clearly what that poster says -- not youtube only -- dont cherrypick your quotes when the original is right there for us to see) there are many articles about the Guiterrez guy but the Youtube stuff is he, himself, speaking... he is a freaking bigot -- big time, no way around it. Go there and watch his dumb ass yourself but quit ripping this duse for pointing out something you can see for yourself right there in the time it took you to write this... Oh and nice internet muscles by the way.
Anyone from any, racial, cultural, national, or religious background can call the US flag their own, if protecting that flag makes me a “racist and xenophobe” then that is what I am. I want the people to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the Stars and Bars, before another flag on our public institutions, and in our nation. Again, I encourage everyone to fly their historical nations’ banners, just remember this is the USA! No American should fail to remember our flag, and by extension, those who died defending it, or endeavor to justify our nation’s flag having been forgotten. I am confident everyone can appreciate these feelings.
P.S. The video of me shooting (.44 DE) is at a target I purchased at the range, and is the one produced by a Police Department. Really who is surprised that an 8 year veteran, life member of the VFW (veterans of foreign wars), and life member of the NRA, has fired a weapon.
Peter Lynch- if you're reading this; get a good lawyer, then sue the stupid liberals which govern UNM for all you can- Then take the settlement and attend a real university not some podunk commnity college like UNM. There are many fine institutions where half wits, illegal aliens and student special interest groups don't hold sway.
peter, it isn't "protecting" the U.S. when you tear up the flag of another country, one that symbolizes culture and heritage for a large body of students at UNM. there are many cultures that fly their flags in this country, start with the Irish...they would all object if you were to tear up their flag in the name of "protecting" the U.S. flag. i object to it, in fact, as a white woman whose roots go back pre-revolution (oh, and to the fellow three posts from the top...if you want to get on a gender trip, come debate me and i'll send you back to your mama). having said that, i don't think you should be charged for anything more than whatever it normally ought to be when you deface school property. just like i shouldn't be when i decide to tear up the U.S. flag once a year on the 4th of july. this nationalistic tripe is nonsense.
I wouldn't dignify you with a debate, at least not until you learn punctuation and can keep yourself on just one topic at a time. I am Irish, can't remember a single time we ever flew the Irish flag nor identified ourselves as anything other than American, so that dog won't hunt. Next, it wasn't school property, so calling it that is an attempt to "cherry pick" an idea and make it sound like a more damaging charge. It was, and always shall be, simply a destruction of private property under $100 in value -- i.e. a petty misdemeanor. As to tearing up our flag on the 4th of July, apparently you do that to protest the British losing us as a colony? Or perhaps just for shock value to get attention you can't get otherwise due to the hairy legs and Birkenstock sandals not being that attractive? Now, go in the kitchen and bring me a beer princess.
no, peter, if i ever make a political statement by tearing up or burning a flag it's because i get tired of the rank nationalism that gets in the way of seeing the real issues at hand. case in point, your stupid actions on UNM campus that have caused your sorry ass to be thrown up in my face everytime i open a newspaper.
Actually, the Irish fly their flag time big time on the east coast. It's very prevalent to see it displayed in certain cities.
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