When I was 10 years old, I can remember most vividly my mother’s high pitched yells at the discovery of a swastika drawn onto our icy front porch window. Unaware of the swastika’s degrading meaning, it wasn’t until later in my life when I truly realized the seriousness of this horrible symbol.
Just yesterday did a horrible occurrence of pure racism occur in a small town neighborhood of New Mexico. After completing their shifts at the local Mcdonald’s, three coworkers branded a swastika shaped coat hanger onto the arm of a local Navajo man. This 22 year old mentally disabled man was then forced to stay silent as the three men shaved a swastika into the back of his head while writing racist slurs such as “KKK” and ‘White Power” on the victim’s body.
Sadly for this town, this case has served as just one of many domestic hate crimes over the past year.
Fortunately, local leaders have gained focus on bettering the relationship between the Navajo community and the Whites. In addition, due to new laws instituted under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, officials are able to more easily prosecute these men for their disgusting hate crime.
Estimated to serve up to ten years in prison once convicted, these three men represent the malicious, disgusting ways of a person who still believes that one should be treated horribly simply due to the color of their skin.
While reading this story, the common question of “what kind of person would do this?” constantly rang in my head. Not only were the men conducting a horrible hate crime, but the victim was only an innocent, helpless man. I honestly find it quite cynical that a man who can beat another down due to his race is the same man who regards himself as a higher person. Maybe it’s the guns they carry or the repulsive words they utter. But simply put, these white supremacists are one of the most sickening forms of a person I could ever encounter.
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