Research Paper On Roy Smith's America

Human Relations 201-2 Beckie Holt Roy Smith’s America Paper Roy Smith’s America was a Dateline 20/20 News Story covering the vicious attacks on Roy Smith, a man who desired nothing more than to live quietly on a ranch in Colorado he purchased, by the community he lived near because of the community’s fear and ignorant racial beliefs. He lived on the ranch for almost 20 years before being driven off his own land by vandalism, beatings and attempts on his life. The case later became a Colorado Civil Rights case. The officers who had jurisdiction over the area his ranch was in did not believe the attacks occurred as Roy described
He hoped the abuse would stop soon and people would let him live a peaceful life. But the worst was yet to come. A group of men burst into Smith’s home while he was taking a bath. They strung him up naked upside down by the rafters in his home. When he finally freed himself he had to wait 5 days before he was able to walk to the neighbors for help. He thought he was going to die while he hung upside down from the rafters. He couldn’t tell the neighbor about the wire marks that were visible, but did receive medical treatment for the swelling and pain in his groin area. He remarks at this point he felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, that one human being could do this to another human being. The last straw in the dispute between Smith and Berube came when he was shot at by Berube with a high powered rifle. Again, Smith reported the incident to the sheriff. And again, nothing was done about it. At that point, Smith decided it was time to leave his ranch behind and find a place to live
Berube. I couldn’t believe as I sat and watched this movie that Smith had the courage to stay on his ranch through all of this. He was a man of conviction, and hoped the best in people would eventually win out. I wonder if he ever mentally got over all he had experienced. The capacity for forgiveness can heal wounds that seem will never heal. I also thought about the members of the Sherriff Department and their conscious choice to look the other way over the many years the attacks took place. They are a disgrace to the law enforcement oath of honor they swear to