First Black President Triggers Rise in Hate Crimes

On November 4th many people celebrated the fact that The United States elected our first African-American President. But not everyone is feeling the love. The Christian Science Monitor says that, "The election of America's first black president has triggered more than 200 hate-related incidents, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center – a record in modern presidential elections." For example: "In rural Georgia, a group of high-schoolers gets a visit from the Secret Service after posting 'inappropriate' comments about President-elect Barack Obama on the Web. In Raleigh, N.C., four college students admit to spraying race-tinged graffiti in a pedestrian tunnel after the election. On Nov. 6, a cross burns on the lawn of a biracial couple in Apolacon Township, Pa."

And how about this little gem? "In some parts of the South, there's even talk of secession." Secession! Alec Baldwin only threatened to move to Canada.

They only good thing that can come of this news is that maybe all of the people who have been running around saying that Obama's election will trigger a "post-racial" age will stop saying that. I'm all for thinking positive, and maybe future generations will see a reduction in racist feelings and actions. Until that happens, let's try to keep our rose-colored glasses on the shelf.

Source: Christian Science Monitor
Image: Wikipedia