by Rosemary Redfern

Created on: June 16, 2009

A noose has one function. To strangle a human by the neck until they are dead. A secondary use is trapping animals but that is not the issue here.

A noose is a sign of hate because it demonstrates a belief system. One which is intolerant of otherness and is used of bolster the inferiority feelings of the user. It suggests the users of this symbol fear what they do not understand and therefore wish to dehumanize and destroy someone who does not fit in with their views of what is right. It is a tragedy for any society because of it's divisive nature and because it demonstrates a lack of humanity.

The image of a noose is powerful, why else do firm makers use it to suggest what is going to happen next in a movie? It takes little imagination to understand it will create fear, anxiety and unease in any society. This is why is it used because it is a threat. The immediate question in the minds of observers is, who is going to be trapped by it? The ripples of this fear echo round that society.

In parts of the world where there are issues of racial superiority or group hatred it is a sign of promise that violence will be carried out. Especially in areas where one side has used this weapon against another without mercy and when the other has had no redress or legal access to save or support them; when the law turns a blind eye because those who should be enforcing it have the same beliefs as the perpetrators and see nothing wrong in what they are doing.

Therefore a noose has to be a sign of hate and as such is a crime because it incites violence, division and oppression. Life is difficult enough without having a society where one group is constantly living in fear of reprisals for being who they are. Such anxiety creates some strange behavior at times and it does the opposite of making a peaceful community. Even those who belong to the dominant side must contain individuals who find this behavior, at least, distasteful if not horrific. It is a matter of conscience.

When one group feel safe to abuse another because they do not see them a fully human, such cruelty is possible. This is what happens in war and this sort of behavior is a form of warfare against another group. When people are able to acknowledge the humanity of another group and see them as individuals with the same problems and joys as themselves such demonstrations are not necessary and they don't happen.

Hanging a noose in public can only be considered a hate crime because of what it represents and threatens.

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