“Journey to a Hate Free Millennium,” a documentary film presentation and lecture about hate crimes in America, will be shown at Coastal Carolina University’s Wheelwright Auditorium Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The screening, which is free and open to the public, is part of “Erase the Hate,” a week-long series of events organized by Coastal’s Student Government Association (SGA) addressing the need for awareness and dialogue in multicultural relations.

The film focuses on the stories of three recent American tragedies: the murders of James Byrd, an African-American man killed in Texas, and University of Wyoming student Matthew Shephard, a victim of anti-gay violence, as well as the events at Columbine High School in Colorado.

Following the screening, a talk will be given by Brent Scarpo, producer of the documentary. Scarpo is the founder of New Light Media, a production company dedicated to promoting multicultural understanding.

Scarpo says the film’s purpose is to demonstrate that racist killings, schoolhouse shootings and homophobic attacks should serve as the nation’s wake up call. “A lack of self-respect is the underlying cause behind hate crimes,” said Scarpo. “It’s not a gay thing, it’s not a black thing. It’s a hate thing, and hate is nondiscriminatory.”

Other events scheduled on Coastal’s campus include:

• “Remember the Titans,” Monday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Wall Auditorium, sponsored by Coastal Productions;

• Student forum: “Is there hate on Coastal’s campus?” Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in Student Center 208, sponsored by Coastal’s chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, national leadership honor society;

• Student forum: “Erase the Hate: Learn by revisiting and revisioning the past,” Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. in Wall Auditorium, sponsored by Coastal’s Office of Multicultural Student Services;

• Roundtable discussion on discrimination, Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in Wall Building 318, sponsored by Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

“Understanding and positive interaction are keys to eliminating hate in society, and Coastal has a part to play in this,” said SGA president David Woodley. “This will help further the dialogue so that students can express their concerns and learn from each other.”

For more information, contact Coastal’s Office of Student Affairs at 349-2303.