The outrageous killings of James Byrd, Jr. and Matthew Shepard shine a light on the power of hatred fueled by racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of intolerance that are used to separate and divide us as human beings. Proponents of hate crime legislation and enhanced penalties for hate crimes want to make sure that killings and acts of violence like these provide an opportunity not only to hold accountable those responsible, but to expose and eradicate all violence based on bias, bigotry and prejudice.
Pat Clark
Pat Clark, an emeritus member of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) board and former director of the SPLC’s Klanwatch program, is the former executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and over her career has focused on such issues as prison reform, the death penalty, juvenile justice, and restorative justice.
