The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) was signed into law in 2009, providing federal assistance in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes and ensuring such crimes are covered by the law. The law is named for two individuals who died violently as a result of hate. Read Byrd's biography and Shepard's biography.
The Pyramid of Hate demonstrates the way bias and hateful attitudes and behaviors can escalate if left unchecked. Many people describe the behaviors at the bottom level of the pyramid as subtle and insignificant. Like a pyramid, however, the levels above are supported by the lower levels. If people or institutions treat behavior on the lower level as acceptable or "normal," it may not be long before the behaviors at the next level become more accepted. While the "higher" levels of the pyramid are more life-threatening (e.g., murder, genocide), the impact on individuals of experiencing the lower levels should not be underestimated.
Now create your own pyramid to offer actions to combat hate. Using this template and the following resources, provide at least one actionable step that corresponds with each level on the Pyramid of Hate that can be taken to assist in the de-escalation of conflict and violence:
- Movement Advancement Project
- Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Resource Guide from the Southern Poverty Law Center
- Human Rights Campaign: Being an LGBTQ+ Ally
- PFLAG
- U.S. Department of Justice - Hate Crimes
Source: The Current Events Classroom, Anti-Defamation League, 2014.
