A World of Hate
Ever wonder what influences a hate crime? Crimes committed through acts of violence because of differences sometimes result in fatalities. It is because of one’s belief, morals, feelings and teachings that influence hate toward others. Populations such as race, sexuality and religion are targeted by hate crimes because of bias, discrimination and prejudice which encourage hate.
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, hate crime is defined as any of various crimes (as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender or sexual orientation). Diversity plays a major role when it comes to hate. Differences among each classified group (named above) are reasons why prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes take place causing ill feelings toward these groups. A person’s prejudice may lead to an act of aggression, but hate crimes are mainly caused by a feeling of being threatened by the combination of a certain group of people which the perpetrator is already prejudiced against. Bias-motivated crimes are designed to intimidate the victim and members of the victim’s community in which it leaves them feeling isolated, vulnerable, and unprotected by the law. Hate groups take advantage of economic pain and conspiracy theories. Many of those involved with these hate groups are living in neighborhoods that are decreasing economically and at the same time, demographics rapidly changing. Status and power contribute to individuals becoming actively involved with hate crimes. The vast majority of hate crimes are directed by members of the dominant group toward those who they feel in their eyes are powerless (Schaefer, R. T., 2012). In some cases, hate crimes are said to be scapegoats to relieve emotions from low self-esteem, loneliness and feelings of rage. These feelings come from the hurt and pain of dysfunctional families. Hate groups are created because those affected find that this is an alternate family in which they will be accepted and be heard. Hate groups become violent when they feel threatened by a certain group of people such as when black people move into white neighborhoods or interracial marriages (www.apa.org/topics/hate-crimes). In these cases, hate crimes are committed to send a message, defend the beliefs of the aggressors or even as a “thrill seeker” to the group. The thought of intimidation by blacks living in the same neighborhood as whites or interracial marriages/relationships sparks the fuel for violence toward these individuals. Reaction to these types of events are done to send the message that they are not wanted there and that they shouldn’t be there or be living as they are. Hate groups will do whatever it takes for them to defend their beliefs and prove what they feel is the right way. When the offenders feel as if people that are opposite of them are violating their ways of life, the threat of retaliation fills their hearts and minds. With hearts full of evil, the main objective is to prevent social progress among those of the opposite race. Aggressors seek to put an end to the progression of anyone who they feel will prosper over them. As people are victimized, it leaves them suffering with physical and mental trauma. Attacking anyone takes a toll on them because in their minds they don’t know why any of it would happen to them.
Anyone can actually become a victim of hate crimes. These crimes take place as a result of a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity. Hate crimes also have a broader impact within communities than many other types of violent crimes or property crimes. Because they are motivated by bias, hate crimes are often intended to, and do, send a broader message of violent intolerance toward a broad class of people. The fact that the victims of such crimes are chosen based on characteristics such as their race or religion can cause all those in the community who share that characteristic to experience similar feelings of vulnerability and secondary victimization. The impact on the community, the fear of becoming a victim of violence can be nearly as debilitating as suffering through an actual crime. The message of intolerance that is communicated through a hate crime can have broadly disruptive social effects as well and can lead to a greater lack of trust of the authorities or cause tension between racial or religious communities (www.justice.gov). No one, particular person is chosen to be the victim, but instead groups are targeted and acts of violence are carried out. A hate group will discriminate against an opposite race, a different religion, gays and lesbians, those that are disabled and the national origin or backgrounds. The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) group have experienced higher percentages of hate crimes than just about any other group. With respect to victims of the LGBT community, studies have also shown that most hate crimes are carried out by persons who do not know their victims. These victims are chosen as a result of how their perception is instead of something being said or done. According to the documented reports of the FBI’s reports (HCSA 2007), “Approximately 51 percent of the reported hate crimes were race-based, with 18.4 percent on the basis of religion, 16.6 percent on the basis of sexual orientation, and 13.2 percent on the basis of ethnicity.” The overall number of hate crimes directed at gay men and lesbians increased almost six percent over the last four years. Some studies have indicated that assaults motivated by hatred are more violent, and more likely to result in serious injury to the victim than other types of assaults.
A brief description of these horrific crimes would consist of murder, rape, or other massive assaults. Aggressors go to the extreme of actually taking the life of another individual when hate is involved with the crime. Mark Carson was a victim that was killed because of his sexual preference (2013). James Anderson was run over by a truck and killed in Mississippi (2011) because of his race (www.cnn.com).
Intervention prevents hate crimes. Eliminating prejudice requires that Americans develop respect for cultural differences and establish dialogue across racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries. Education, awareness, and acceptance of group differences are the cornerstones of a long-term solution to prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry. Hate crime laws and effective responses to hate violence by public officials and authorities can play an essential role in deterring and preventing these crimes in which it will create a better society for all Americans.
Education is essential when it comes to preventing hate crimes. In addition to that, intervention is a positive avenue as well. With the help of law enforcement and proactive individuals community troubles will cease. Most importantly, knowledge of hate and its’ capabilities is the key to success when it comes to hate crimes. If bias, prejudice and discrimination will come to a minimum, crimes will less likely take place.

References:
Schaefer, R.T. (2012). Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.). Prentice-Hall: Pearson Education, Inc. www.justice.gov www.apa.org/topics/hate-crimes