Sociology Case - Martin Luther King Jr

" I have a dream... where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

The modern societies have come a long way to fight against racism and discrimination since Martin Luther King made that statement in 1963. Cities like Metro Vancouver are filled with numerous minority groups with different languages, religions and cultures. Fortunately, we live in a multicultural society where we don't have to think about hate crime too much. In Vancouver most people live in a relative harmony and peaceful environment, where we enjoy our live so much. We can feel safe when going out on the street without being pasteurized by a mob of "haters". However, the incident happened in 2008 downtown Vancouver has sent a shock wave through out the city and across the country.

"Jordan Smith had never held hands with a man in public before. But late one September night in 2008, the 27-year-old airline pilot impulsively intertwined fingers with his boyfriend, as they walked home through the city's well-known gay neighborhood. Their affection lasted all of five minutes. A group of young men accosted the couple with a series of gay slurs. One of them then struck Mr. Smith from behind, sending him unconscious to the sidewalk, a hard tumble that broke his jaw. His assailant, Michael Kandola, was eventually sentenced to 17 months in prison, after a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled the attack a hate crime." - The Global and Mail, July 2010

This is a rather sad story not only because it happened in the City of Vancouver, where we are proud of our multiculturalism, friendly social environment as well as protected personal freedom, but also because this is a hate crime, a serious discrimination crime. According to the Vancouver Police department report, over all in 2008, Metro Vancouver police forces reported 34 hate-crime cases motivated by sexual orientation, the highest per-capita frequency of such attacks in the country. Those cases contributed to a disturbing trend across Canada that saw hate crimes against gays and lesbians more than double, from 71 in 2007 to 159 a year later (The Global and Mail, 2010). The numbers, reported in August by Statistics Canada, have prompted some to label Vancouver "the gay-bashing capital of Canada." (The Global and Mail, 2010)

Discrimination against anyone is a serious crime these days, because they are taking people's freedom away and judging them on their looks and abilities. Frankly, I think everyone should fight for their rights to be treated equally under any circumstances at any time. I believe that no matter people's race, age, sex, or sexual orientation they should be treated fairly. Homosexuals are more likely to become the victims of harassment, unlawful termination, and hate crimes. These things take place because of sexism and inequality (Mills); and most importantly, because people do not understand each other, especially many of their differences.

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