Organizations like S.H.A.P.E. and others are great on the educational front, but do not have the ability to bring legal representation and other support to combat these issues. That is the reason why we as southerners sometime should place our personal issues aside and become a part of such organizations as the S.C.V., for the greater good.
Personally, I still think the man should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as a Hate Crime. Certainly if the tables were reversed he would have done the same.
I see no reason why he should be allowed any special treatment because of any precieved personal viewpoints which he held. THAT would have been EQUALITY and a true application of the laws as being blind in their adminstration irregardless of the persons, or their ethnicity, being involved. In other words I feel like the Councelman got off light, with only a slap on his hand, because he was Black. And that Justice was not served in this outcome.
Even at this the Lady whose property was stolen still has a criminal case in court if she wishes to pursue such an action. But I feel that she probably will not. But principal has at least have been vindicated.