"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.
