The simplest answer to "Do Hate Crimes Make You a 2nd Class Citizen?" the answer might be "Depends on who you ask?" Each person is likely to see this differently but there should be some shared perspective on what is and is not acceptable. Those who engage and benefit from such goal directed behaviors don't feel there is much of a problem while those who are on the receiving end might feel it is a major violation of basic rights and value systems. It is not the single one off instances that are the problem but repeated environmental cues that foster perceptions of second class citizenship and encouragement of poor behaviors among some officials.
Consider two pieces on the topic below. I'm not for or against these perspectives because when one reads science you stay neutral unless there is a higher moral concept that must be obtained or a truth that comes about. In other words we are just exploring the possibility of whether one could consider themselves as "less than in citizenship" based on messaging and signaling by others (We talked about mirror theory in the past.): Some might say its impossible and nothing can be fixed but that is a rigidity of thinking that does more harm than good in the long run. There are different types of studies out there and there will be variations among them but you will find some similarities in their basic conclusions.
Profiling and Second Class Citizenship
Officially institutions seek to create fairness and when they do so they tie everyone together through trust in these institutions; i.e. intent of legislation. Unofficially there are people who intentionally create unfairness and if they use the power of an institution unjustly or illegally it reflects negatively on the whole. Institutional trust declines and its not something to ignore in the long run. Thus, removing intentional poor performers (vs. mistakes which can be trained) is important for the health of the institution and the perceptions of singular community development.
As a hypothetical learning example only, let us say there has been long term corruption and hate based targeting. People connected to a group (official or unofficial person) have gotten away with certain repeated bullying, self enrichment through manipulation, racial/religious mistreatments (could include rights violations) and general misbehaviors for a long time due to their clan affiliations. Basically, a type of immunity. Where there are obviously poor behaviors there is sometimes general free passing of such behaviors and lack of adjustment.
No attempt to correct, no changes, no adjustments despite overwhelming evidence, multiple concerns by different parties are generally ignored because of a win-lose perception of decision makers. In this example, the risk is perpetuated onto future victims because of the lack of moral conscious and respect for the spirt of the law. In this situation the targets might rightfully feel they are second class citizens. Some may misunderstand and others may understand the unwritten social rules. Its an interplay of subjective experience of the individual, subjective experience of groups, and the facts that align to create general impressions that can be statistically measured sociologically (i.e. polls and things).
When I think of "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" I think of a single people who may have different flavors but all agree to the same principles of values that embrace the universal concepts of liberty and justice for all. When we all believe in the same essence of our existence then we are unstoppable as a people because we can tap that diversity on a broad scale and put it to constructive use (Makes you wonder what is most important?). That will require a level playing field and universal institutions. The values of an ideal society is something our leadership should encourage, protect and nourish. Leadership and Values
Just to be clear, this is not a feel good argument for fluffy fantasy. All systems must adapt, change, and get better if they are going to function effectively in alignment with a dynamic society that is adjusting with each generation. In the example if local systems become warped by a few big personalities and self interested antics derived from ethnocentric aggressions then there is room for improvement and change regardless of the technical layers of policy protections. The culture seems to perpetuate the problem. Change may be opposed but necessary if we are to uphold our social contracts fully. . Adaptive Organizations to Environmental Change
Furthering the illustrative hypothetical example for philosophical pontification. One of the targets had been repeatedly harmed, targeted and harassed. One of the perpetrators approaches the target addresses in a rude fashion, the victim tells them that based on prior poor behaviors they should not talk to him/her/them. The perpetrator gets angry and wants to know what the target is going to do about it. The target thinks for a moment and says he isn't stupid so he isn't going to do anything and turns away from the perpetrator to end the increasing volatile direction of the conversation. In anger the perpetrator nearly punches him/her/them in the back of the head but was yelled at by an onlooker and stopped. The perpetrator then mitigates responsibility by saying the target provoked their anger (In some cases the presence and free movement of the targets/minority infuriates perpetrators).
Let us continue on with the example. A few months later an associate of the same hate clan starts creepily and aggressively staring at the targets and a friend while in an establishment. This same person also was staring at minority kids in a parking lot a few years earlier. Known as another local hot head the two from each of these incidents know each other and run in some of the same clan circles (The danger of social mimicking and hate chatter.). Yet its not just two knuckleheads but a group of knuckleheads with some officials who have engaged in aggressive antics at various times and places over a number of years. The behavior being normalized for that group.
Let me also say that those who engage in these poor behaviors have deep seated angers and resentments and they seek to project them onto other people who drew their disdain. It is a type of pathology in thinking that doesn't dissipate just because we don't report it or seek to minimize it. Aggressiveness and rudeness are designed to provoke natural responses and then blame the target for those natural responses. Such people are dishonest who won't take responsibilities for their own lives so they are unlikely to change without help. The environment gave them little boundaries and corruption worked in the opposite of what would normally be acceptable in such situations. A cancer that can spread.
As we become a nation of many minorities these concepts of universalism will become important to avoid the power over dynamics that typically are derived from alternate ideologies. When systems are managed well around core goals and shared futures, we can avoid second class citizenship perception as well as some of the crimes that come with that; whether they be accurate or inaccurate. Getting people to see themselves as a single people is very important to our future. One has to look at these things holistically and take a moral and strategic view. Organization Change
Those who stand by their pledges and oaths act in ways that set them apart from those who provide only lip service to these fundamental societal values. Faithful people make choices to draw people together while those who tease the tongue make choices to push people apart. One is for altruistic benefit and the other for self gain. If we take a moment to think about why people say and do certain things it doesn't take long to figure out where they are on that spectrum.
Just to add a final point to this issue. If our oaths and pledges require indivisibility, justice for all, liberty, and a moral system then it is those who bring us together and correct divergence from those values are acting more American than those who divide, belittle, or destroy for racial or religious reasons (even political if taken too far). However, that is just a perspective and as all perspectives can be easily skipped over and intentionally discounted. Debate is about creating shared sense of realities while manipulation is forced perceptions that may be inaccurate and unhelpful in the long run.
It is our values that make us who we are and we should cling to them tightly hand on hand. Who is an American? Who you support and your values are your own but they do have long term collective impact. As we move into Juneteenth keep in mind that the Emancipation Proclamation was announced in 1863 but slavery didn't end until 1865. History of Emancipation Proclamation. While the physical slaves of that time may be free we must now work on freeing the minds of those who support segregationist values that limit our wholeness as a people. We will all need to be on the same team rowing together through a shared sense of direction so as to create a future instead of being subject to it. Allegory of the Cave
*This article is a philosophical discussion on a hypothetical example for learning purposes only. A type of thought experiment on freedom of speech, religion and race. Take with a grain of salt.
No comments:
Post a Comment