Speaker discusses recent hate crimes

The recent highly publicized murders of James Byrd, Jr. in Texas and Matthew Shepard in Wyoming have raised the nation's awareness of the threat of hate crimes.

Law students attended a discussion last night with Assistant Michigan Attorney General Roland Hwang, who delivered the first installment of the Michigan Journal of Race and Law's Speaker Series titled "The Anatomy of Hate Crimes: From Racial Hatred to Racial Violence."

Hwang was accompanied by Joyce Chang, a University alumnus and social worker for Chelsea Community Hospital, who explained the motivation behind hate crime perpetrators.

"When a community changes, there is an increase in the sense of threat," Chang said. "The effects of hate crimes are intense. It affects the whole community the person represents."

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Michigan Assistant Attorney General Roland Hwang speaks about hate crimes last night at Hutchins Hall.

In addition, Chang cited the emotional effects of hate crimes.

"Victims experience extreme depression, stress and often post traumatic stress syndrome," Chang said. "The effects can last as long as five years."

Chang explained there are four reasons why people commit hate crimes.

"Some people feel they are doing it out of self defense or they do it because they feel that they have a duty to uphold the morals of society," Chang said. "Most young people commit hate crimes because they are thrill seekers or because of peer pressure."

Many anti-violence groups are trying working on the pervasive problem not only through legislation, Chang said, but through education as well.

Hwang said schools must change their curriculums to curb hate crimes.

"The teachers and community must be educated on issues of race," Hwang said.

LSA junior Jennifer Bucholz said she attended the seminar because she is interested in race relations and because of the recently publicized hate crimes.

"I thought I could learn something more," Bucholz said.

Hwang said it takes a community effort to prosecute and prevent hate crimes.

"Bring information to the attention of people who are interested and can do something such as prosecutors," Hwang said.

Kara Jennings, a law first-year student, said she is interested in learning more about violent acts against many marginalized groups.

"As a white person, I feel as if I have a responsibility to do what I can to see that this hatred does not continue," Jennings said.

11-24-98