i too feel that it is important to take a stand about things like this. hatred, violence, and callus actions (even passively)towards others is wrong. when we find ourselves in the midst of such actions or conversations we should speak up. I don't mean that we should all put ourselves in harms way though. Sometimes people have been raised in such environments that they are truly ignorant to how hurtful and destructive their behaviors are. And how are they to know different if they are never asked to consider things differently? Things like racism and violence are learned behaviors. If we all took a stand against such things, even if it were to just say, "Hey, that's really an inappropriate thing to say." Or even just to question why they feel the way they do....it would atleast get their attention long enough to think about what motivates them in such matters.

Sometimes self examination is a huge motivating factor in changing lives and societies. And yes, it can be a miraculous thing!