Free Speech Brings Harmony
On May 31, 1999, two students at Franciscan University in Ohio were kidnapped from their campus where they were beaten, robbed, and shot because of racial differences between them and their murderers. In recent years, there seems to have been rises in hate crimes against people who are not Caucasian Christian heterosexuals on college campuses. If someone does not fit this description, an unhealthy learning environment is created for that student. Hate crimes can be reduced if people become more tolerant of others. College campuses can lead the way of stopping hate crimes by becoming beacons of tolerance and understanding, by teaching that tolerance begins by understanding and not fearing the differences between people. Hate crimes happen every day. Some are broadcast on television, and some are left unspoken. Hate crimes are criminal actions intended to harm or intimidate people because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other minority group status. They are also referred to as bias crimes. For instance, in October of 1998, a hate crime in Wyoming against a college student, Matthew Sheppard, shocked the nation. A University of Wyoming student was beaten, tied to a fence, and left for dead because
It is difficult to classify what exactly is offensive and accepted in America's society. Offensive material is anything said or done to make a particular person feel hurt about their race, origin, sexual preference, or religion. Symbols, like swastikas or burning crosses, have been used to show white power on college campuses. Some campuses tried to ban all types of symbols that could be deemed offensive. However, some argue that there are symbols, like peace signs, that colleges aren't banning. Some ask why are some symbols banned and not all? This argument goes hand in hand with the argument of what speech, if any, should be banned. Through the years, verbal abuse has been directed at gays, lesbians, and people of different races. There have been many hate crimes done to hurt the ones that don't fit in the typical American stereotype. The only way we can attempt to put these crimes to rest is to have the students learn and understand these issues, that have been targeted for people to display offensive material against, by having college administrators teach the importance of tolerance through open debate and discussion. If students learn and understand these issues, perhaps these crimes will be stopped, and maybe a tolerance of others' differences will be built and all hate crimes reduced or eliminated, even if it is just on college campuses. the murderers allegedly believed he was a homosexual and making sexual advances towards them. He died five days later. Since this attack three years ag
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Approximate Word count = 1025
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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