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Recommendations
In 2004, as we mark the 50th anniversary of the landmark educational equality civil rights decision Brown v. Board of Education and the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the profoundly important Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is clear that the nation has made much progress in the ongoing struggle for justice and equal treatment for all. Legislation to prohibit racially-motivated violence dates back to the Ku Klux Klan Act passed by Congress in 1871. In recent years, federal, state, and local governments, and educational, religious, community, and civic and business organizations have all assumed more responsibility to help ensure that no person is targeted for violence on the basis of his or her personal characteristics.
Although a great deal has been accomplished, much work remains to be done. Here are some recommendations for action by every sector of society:
Exercise national leadership. National leaders from every sector of society — including government, business, labor, religion, and education — should use their prestige and influence to encourage efforts to promote tolerance and harmony and to combat bigotry. Congress and the administration should help promote civility and acceptance of differences in our society. Members of Congress and administration officials should seek opportunities to speak out against bigotry, intolerance, and prejudice in our society. Politicians and civic leaders should never engage in divisive appeals based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion. These leaders set the tone for national discourse and have an essential role in shaping attitudes in opposition to all forms of bigotry.
Improve coordination between Federal and state and local law enforcement officials to combat hate violence. As law enforcement officials expand their cooperation to address the terrorist threat, we must give these officials the tools they need to build and develop these relationships to address domestic terrorism in the form of hate violence. Enactment of the pending Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act would allow the federal government to provide technical support to state and local law enforcement agencies that are investigating hate crimes and would authorize the Department of Justice to provide grants to state and local agencies to cover the costs of investigating and prosecuting these local crimes. In addition, this legislation would authorize the Department of Justice to assist local prosecutions, and, where appropriate, investigate and prosecute cases in which the bias violence occurs because of the victim's sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Current federal law does not provide authority for involvement in these cases at all.
Enforce existing laws. Existing civil rights laws against all forms of discrimination are an important part of America's effort against bigotry, bias, and hate crimes. These laws should be aggressively enforced and federal civil rights enforcement agencies and the Justice Department's mediation and conciliation arm, the Community Relations Service, should receive the funding they need to be successful.
Renew and expand America's commitment to identify, report, and respond to every act of hate violence. Congress and the administration should promote comprehensive implementation of the data collection requirements of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) by state and local law enforcement officials. Congress should mandate the collection of gender-based hate crime statistics and provide adequate funding for training and outreach to promote full implementation by the 17,000 state and local police agencies across the country. Linking community policing to the effort against bias-related crimes can also be especially effective. Hate violence can be addressed effectively through a combination of the presence, prevention, and outreach that is the hallmark of community policing.
Communities should also encourage efforts by businesses, labor unions, civic groups, and concerned citizens. Schools, businesses, congregations, and communities all across America should initiate or intensify efforts to promote respect for diversity and to discourage acts of intolerance. The projects described in this report, as well as other efforts by the NAACP, National Council of La Raza, Anti-Defamation League, and National Urban League, among others, are all models for what can and must be done.
Debate the issues with reason, not rancor. In a democracy, there should be free and open debate about every public issue. Political questions about immigration, abortion, affirmative action, and gay rights among others can and should be debated. However, Americans of all backgrounds and viewpoints should find ways to debate these issues without demonizing one another. Public debate should always be an appeal to reason, not an incitement to violence.
Prepare the next generation of Americans for a diverse society. Studies demonstrate that a disproportionately high percentage of both the victims and the perpetrators of hate violence are young people under 18 years of age. This disturbing fact underscores the need for educational programs on the importance of civic responsibility, cultural diversity, and a respect of cultural differences in the United States. As the Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights (www.cccr.org) has urged, the federal government should promote democracy-building and citizenship initiatives — efforts such as teaching about the Bill of Rights and the contributions that many different groups have made in building our nation. The Department of Education should make information available about successful anti-bias and hate crime prevention programs and resources. Local communities and school systems should offer anti-bias programs on religious tolerance, Holocaust education, conflict resolution, and multicultural education. Resources should be made available for college campus anti-bias training programs in an effort to promote effective implementation of prevention strategies and the adoption of anti-harassment guidelines as well.
Use the Internet to educate. Recognizing the limitations of what government can or should do to address the problem of hate speech on the Internet, groups such as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Leadership Conference of Civil Rights Education Fund have constructed a Web site (www.civilrights.org) devoted to civil rights and a greater understanding of the importance of civil rights laws in building the "more perfect union." In addition to its own content, the Web page connects to the existing Web sites of LCCR members, thereby expanding its reach considerably.
The Internet is a marketplace of ideas and information — an online public forum. While the Internet has well-known attributes as an essential medium to inform, educate, communicate, and entertain, bigots and hate-mongers are also increasingly using the Internet to promote doctrines espousing hatred and violence. Americans deeply value and appreciate the importance of the First Amendment to our Constitution in protecting the speech of all in our pluralistic society. However, law enforcement officials should be prepared to vigorously investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute criminal threats of violence transmitted over the Internet. In addition, because young people have increasing access to the Internet, it should be an essential resource in any public education campaign to address the problem of hate-related violence in America. |
