The nature and causes of hate crimes can be somewhat confusing. Below are 10 questions and answers that will, hopefully, shed some light on the problem of hate and violence.
1. What is a Hate Crime?
Hate crimes are illegal, generally violent, crimes which are specifically targeted toward an individual or individuals who belong (or are perceived to belong) to a social group toward which the perpetrator harbors intense personal prejudice.
Hate crimes are very rarely random, when they occur, victims are chosen by the perpetrators on the basis of personal prejudice and a motivation to bring harm against members of a social group representing the target of that prejudice (e.g., sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnic background, etc.).
Hate crimes are not merely incidents of murder or physical assault. Given the above definition, any act committed against a person or persons due to prejudice can be considered hate crimes. More specific examples would include: arson, vandalism, harassment, assault, or robbery. The determining factor is the presence of prejudice and intolerance as a motivation for the crime. However, the more violent attacks and killings receive widespread attention.
2. Why do hate crimes occur?
Psychologists, sociologists, criminologists, and experts from a variety of other fields continue to struggle with this question. Theories have been advanced regarding various factors which might contribute to the perpetration of hate crimes, but no clear-cut answer has been forwarded. Quite possibly, there is no one clear-cut answer.
Factors which might contribute to the perpetration of hate crimes range from psychological to sociological. At the psychological level, a basic dislike must exist from which springs the prerequisite prejudice. This may have its roots in a number of things, but it results in the individual harboring negativity toward a certain group or groups within society. From there, various outside influences (e.g., religious doctrine, social or political affiliation, economics) may intensify the prejudice to the point of rigid intolerance and, ultimately, outright hatred.
At some point, the combination of personal feelings and social pressures may combine to cause the intense intolerance and bitter hatred that can, all too often, lead to violence. The triggering action or reaction can be anything, as can the decided upon action taken by the perpetrator of the hate crime.
Understanding why hate crimes occur is instrumental to stopping them. Anti-violence measures and legislation remains, for the most part reactionary, functioning only to address a deep problem. Only by understanding the causes and taking measures to counter them can hate crimes truly be stopped.
3. Who are or can be targets of Hate Crimes?
Anyone can become a victim of a hate crime. Prejudice and intolerance are not limited to specific segments of society. Nor are the victims representative of one segment of society.
Hate crime victims are, generally, representative of - or perceived to represent - identifiable minority groups. These minorities are defined by race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, gender, age, physical handicap, mental handicap, or socioeconomic status. Perpetrators of hate crimes can also represent these same groups.
4. Are radical extremist groups such as the KKK, neo-Nazis, or AryanNation responsible for most hate crimes?
No. Right-wing extremist groups account for less than 5% of all hate crimes committed in the United States. The vast majority of hate crimes in the U.S. are, in fact, committed by young men, between the ages of 15 and 25, who have no affiliation with extremist organizations. Most violent acts resulted from a specific course in search of “thrill,” with victims predetermined according to personal prejudice and intolerant attitudes. Robbery is another common motivating factor, again with the victims selected from an particular group.
5. Recent trends show a decrease in violent crimes throughout the United States. Does this include hate crimes?
Although the number of violent crimes committed in the U.S. shows a substantial decrease, this is not always the case regarding hate crimes. While, overall, hate crimes are showing a decline, bias-related attacks against certain minorities are, in fact, increasing dramatically (particularly against homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgendered persons).
6. Are all violent crimes hate crimes?
To be classified as a hate crime, a violent act must show personal prejudice against a specific minority or social group. Victims of hate crimes are chosen according to the prejudice and intolerant attitudes harbored by the perpetrator. Without the presence of prejudice, a violent act - although deplorable - is not a hate crime.
7. Do hate crimes prevention laws offer increased protection against bias-related attacks?
Hate crimes prevention legislation works primarily to outline stiffer judicial penalties for committing bias-related attacks. Such legislation also allows for increased tracking and recording of hate crimes statistics. Any protection under such laws stems mainly from the deterrence factors of harsher penalties. Like any law, however, a hate crime prevention law is only effective if enforced firmly and consistently.
8. Why do we need hate crime laws when they include provisions for only certain minority groups? Shouldn’t everyone be protected from hate crimes by existing laws?
Everyone deserves equal legal protection from hate crimes, regardless of social status or difference. Existing federal laws and those of some states do not include provision for all persons. These laws must be comprehensive and expanded to cover all persons.
Another reason for hate crime laws is, arguably, the very nature of the crimes themselves. This type of violence tends to be excessively brutal and cruel, often to the point of inhumanity. As bias-related attacks are generally intended to inflict suffering and humiliation, perhaps even to exact some sort of revenge, the attacks are such that will draw attention. Such violence, while punishable under existing criminal statutes, calls for more intense redress and stiffer penalties.
9. Where are hate crimes more likely to happen, in urban or rural areas?
Hate crimes can, and do, happen anywhere. Statistics may show a higher percentage of bias-related attacks occurring in urban areas, but the concentration of people is proportionately higher in these areas. In the cities, people from different backgrounds are forced to live in close proximity to one another. This tends to erode some of the barriers which otherwise can foster prejudice.
Conversely, in rural areas, prejudice and intolerant attitudes may be more prevalent. Personal and social values here are not subject to the rapid-fire pace of the city and can become more firmly entrenched.
10. What can I do to help end hate crimes?
Get involved. Across the U.S., dozens of community groups anti-violence coalitions, and civil rights organizations are working to stem the flood of violence and hate. They need - and welcome - all the support they can find. Also, become active in government at all levels, and impress upon your elected representatives that hate has no place in a free society.
Learn the facts. Much of the prejudice that exists is due to miscomprehension and ignorance. Proponents of bigotry and discrimination manipulate that through misrepresentation, half-truths, and a few outright lies. This propaganda is intended to be divisive and provoke negative imagery. Take the time to learn the facts; accept nothing at face value.Ask Questions. Knowledge is a powerful weapon.
Numerous terms are tossed about in any discussion on civil rights, equality, and intolerance. Some are cearly defined, others less so. Below are terms and phrases often heard and what they mean.
AGEISM: Discrimination or classification on the basis of age, most frequently against the elderly and adolescents.
BIAS-RELATED: Involving personal prejudice toward a spcific social group due to difference.
BIGOT: A person who actively discriminates against people asssociated with a particular social group or groups on the basis of personal prejudice.
BIPHOBIA: A fear of bisexuals or bisexuality.
DISCRIMINATION: In civil rights, actions and behaviors whic force a specific social group to endure a set of standards different from the social majority.
ETHNOCENTRISM: A belief in the social or cultural superiority of one’s ethnic background.
GENOCIDE: The exterminatio or attempted extermination of an entire population, usually as defined by a particular difference (e.g., race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, etc.).
HATE CRIME: Any illegal act, usually violent, committed due to personal prejudice against a particular social group.
HETEROSEXISM: Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Generally, the fostering of heterosexuality as the acceptible sexual norm and discriminating against non-heterosexuals.
HOMOPHOBIA: The fear of homosexuals or anything related to homosexuality.
INTOLERANCE: A refusal to acknowledge the rights or, in extreme cases, the existence of a social group or groups. Often involves criticism of the perceived behavios of the social group in question.
MINORITY GROUP: Classifications of segments of the general population, defined by identifying parameters such as race, religion, sexual orientaiton, gender, etc. This does not necessarily refer to the percentage of the group within the general population.
OPPRESSION: The deliberate withholding or deprivation of social freedoms, rights, and equal status, generally inflicted upon social minorities by the majority.
PREJUDICE: Feelings or beliefs that certain groups within society are inferior and inequal.
PURITANISM: An extreme form of intolerance and moral/social conservatism, rooted primarily in religious background.
RACISM: Discrimination on the basis of racial background.
RADICAL RIGHT: Politicially-active organizations and persons who endorse and espouse extreme socially conservative approaches to regulating codes of social acceptability in terms of behavior and morality.
RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM: Religious beliefs and practices which call for society to be governed by conservative codes of morality and classification based upon rigid interpretations of religious doctrine.
RELIGIOUS RIGHT: Politically-active religious fundamentalist organizations and individuals who seek to impose their beliefs upon the general society via legislation and propoganda campaigns.
SEXISM: Discrimination on the basis of gender.
SOCIAL GROUP: Similar to the definition of a minority group, but expanded to incude all segments of society.
STEREOTYPE: A generalization that asserts a behavior or behaviors are universal among persons within the same social group.
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