Before 1967, interracial marriage was considered a felony, punishable by five years imprisonment. The laws might have changed, but the racist attitude of some people has not. According to FBI statistics, the greatest growth in hate crimes in recent years is against Asian Americans and the gay and lesbian community.
Author Margaret Paul, Ph.D. best-selling author of "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" believes people resort to racism when they feel that they are threatened and their own self-esteem is lacking. Racism comes into the picture when the false beliefs about being better extend to race and religion. All of these false beliefs of the wounded aspect of ourselves stem from fear and a deep desire to have control over not feeling the fear.
Racists are people who hold an imaginary flag proclaiming: "I feel deeply inadequate, insecure, fearful, flawed. I am terrified of anyone knowing about these feelings, so I will hide them by pretending to be better than others. This will protect me from ever having to feel how defective I really feel."
The problems of racism and violence will not be resolved until all people live with high self-esteem instead of deep core shame, and adults commit to healing the wounded aspects of themselves that resort to hate and violence when threatened.
Fortunately, individuals and groups across the country are tackling issues of intolerance with creativity, energy and passion. For more information on how to fight hate and promote tolerance in your state, visit www.tolerance.org
