COPING WITH HATE CRIMES IN OUR SOCIETY |
"When someone is wrong he must put aside all resentment and say my mind shall not be disturbed no angry words shall escape my lips I will remain kind and friendly with loving thoughts and no secret spite."
- Buddhist Prayer
Photo by Readio.com After a catastrophic event like the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack, many people are grieving, confused, and angry. Sadly, for some, these emotions of fear and rage are released on innocent members of target groups. Coping positively with feelings of rage and confusion is extremely important.
People need to keep an open mind and practice tolerance.
Healthy coping strategies provide a way for people to express how they are feeling. There are different support groups available that people can join. Coming together as a nation and giving support to fellow citizens is one of the best ways we can help each other. At Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, many students gathered at the clock tower in a moment of silence to grieve for and remember those lost.
The media is another
critical factor in whether individuals respond with hate and violence
to a given incident. The media needs to condemn hate crimes and
give support to the ethnic and
racial groups for
which these crimes have been committed against. They can effectively
help people cope in many ways. The
media needs to demonstrate
that the groups that commit these crimes are in the minority and
the majority is not giving their
support. This also
helps people cope by showing them that they are not alone or being
persecuted. The media needs to show
people that the
large majority of people support integration and freedom of the
different ethnic groups. Many experts unanimously agree that
racial attacks and comments must be reported and explained , not
ignored or internalized. People need to respond to it. People
need to learn to respond in a just, civil, and democratic manner.
