I thought Murder was a Hate Crime?

Why does the life of an elected official have more value than the life of a person on the streets of the District of Columbia or any other city in the United States? Why do the child, other adults or the Judge killed not merit special treatment.

First, all those hurt and killed and their family members from the Tucson shooting are in my heart and prayers.

My question, as the Black stepmother of two heterosexual, white males is why is it that my sons are the least valued lives in our society? Why will the hate crime question be asked if something happens to my daughter, a white female and me, a black female, but not my sons?

Why can't we just treat murder as murder? Keep the distinctions of 1st degree, 2nd degree and manslaughter--measures of intent.

As I listen to the aftermath of the Tucson shootings, I hear those who say that shooting a member of Congress should merit a special level of punishment. It would be added to the list that includes sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity and several other categories of special circumstances due to characteristics of the victim's life or profession, and the level of bias one can conjure after the fact.

Stop! Murder is murder. If the laws we have do not deter those who have hatred and murder in their hearts, what hope do you have for more laws? Each and every life should be valued. If anything, those of us who choose public speaking or service are making a choice. We value our beliefs enough to risk our safety.

Our families will not grieve more or less than any other victim's. The loss will not be greater or less to one's circle of influence and friends.

I cry out for equal protection, not special treatment after the fact. Let's not use a horrible event to create new separations between citizens.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "we must all hang together or we shall most assuredly all hang separately." As a society it is as true today as in 1776. Don't let us be divided and defeated by the forces of anarchy--America hangs in the balance.