Many of the crimes that are committed are not simply a robbery of wealth but are committed against someone or a group of individuals that are different from their attacker. They are not robbing them of their wealth but of their peace of mind. These types of acts are deemed as hate crimes. Hate crimes have plagued many minorities and religious groups for many decades and although they are not nationally noted often when they are given exposure it can rip a community apart or shake the community to their core exposing their values and view of humanity. In the following pages the topic of hate crimes are explored and dissected.
Hate Crime
A hate crime is a crime that is committed against a person or a group of people due to prejudice
A profile is an identifiable representation of a person that is used within law enforcement to determine the characteristics of individual(s) that commit unlawful acts. These acts can include robbery, murder, larceny, sex crimes, and hate crimes. With hate crimes there are three categories that the perpetrator can fall into. One who does these acts for the thrill, individuals that view the act as defending their turf and others that believe that they are ridding the world of an evil or inferior species (Jack McDevitt, Summer 2002) . Unlike the motivations of other crimes hate crimes are committed with high levels of antagonism and belligerence. The offender do not usually display signs of mental illness that can be displayed by a murder suspect but can be considered just as violent if not more. In 1999 the FBI reported that 70% of hate crimes are committed by white offenders, 16% were black offenders, 2% were Asian-Pacific Island origin, 4% were multi-racial and 9% were unknown (Who commits hate crimes?, 2003). Their offences involved property destruction, online bullying, arson, burglary, vehicle theft, vandalism, assault, and
Many may contribute the increasing number of teenagers that are imprisoned and tried as adults that encounter bias groups that mold them into their rationale way of thinking that seeps into them by the time that they are released. Another element are when the behavior is taught by family and friends who have bias feelings against a group of people based on their interactions with one person from that particular group of people (What Motivates Hate Offenders?, 2008). The cause of these crimes can vary and but the effects on the victims and society are un-argumentative. The victims can encounter lasting mental and physical injuries due to their attacks that can alter their personalities and the ability to maintain relationships due to their fear of future attacks, and mixed emotions from anger, to anguish, and rage (Ephross, 1994). These crimes also impact the community by creating tension with society with feelings of fear, hysteria and outrage that may lead to public displays of rallies that have the possibility for violence. There is also the potential for looting and riots. Unlike other criminal acts that only impact the family,
When people bully or target a specific person for their race or different, that is a hate crime. Hate crimes occurs around the world. Hate crimes nowadays aren’t recognized as a real threat as murder, but leaders and the peoples voices are reaching out to the world. Although these hate crimes and groups could get out of hands, we need to alleviate these problem.
There are several reasons why offenders commit hate crimes, they vary from case to case, however, one key element is fear which is caused by ignorance. The offenders fear the unknown and the competition they feel that exists, them vs. the ‘others’. When fear is accompanied by other factors it could potentially lead to a violent crime. “The
Hate crimes are done too frequently in the United States. Although we have laws that supposedly regulate them, many people still feel the need to commit acts of violence on people that are different than them. Many of these crimes originate with some sort of hate speech. People get ideas from other people, passed down from previous generations.
A hate crime is an act of aggression against an individual's actual or perceived race, ethnicity, religions, disability, sexual orientation, or gender. Examples include assault and battery, vandalism, or threats which involve bias indicators - pieces of evidence like bigoted name-calling or graffiti.
When the topic of hate and bias crime legislation is brought up two justifications commonly come to mind. In her article entitled “Why Liberals Should Hate ‘Hate Crime Legislation” author Heidi M. Hurd discusses the courts and states views that those who commit hate and bias crimes ought to be more severely punished. She takes into consideration both sides of the argument to determine the validity of each but ultimately ends the article in hopes to have persuaded the reader into understanding and agreeing with her view that laws concerning the punishment of hate and bias laws should not be codified. Hate crime is described as a violent, prejudice crime that occurs when a victim is targeted because of their membership in a specific group. The types of crime can vary from physical assault, vandalism, harassment or hate speech. Throughout the article Hurd tried to defend her view and explain why there should be no difference of punishment for similar crimes no matter the reason behind it. Her reason behind her article came from the law that President Obama signed in 2009 declaring that crimes committed with hatred or prejudice should have more sever punishments. While the court has their own views to justify their reasoning behind such decisions, in the article Hurd brings up points and facts to prove the wrongfulness of creating such a law. However, though Hurd has made her views clear in the following essay I will discuss reasons why the penalties are justifiable, why they should receive the same degree of punishment, less punishment and my personal view on the topic.
What is meant by the term “hate crime”? Discuss with reference to at least one type of hate crime, paying particular attention to the social and cultural context in which some identities become targets.
Lieberman J, Arndt J, Personius J, Cook A. “Vicarious Annihilation: The Effect of Mortality Salience on Perceptions of Hate Crimes”. Law & Human Behavior (Springer Science & Business Media B.V.). December 2001;25(6):547. Available from: Business Source Alumni Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 1, 2014.
Hate crimes are acts of verbal and physical abuse when an abuser targets a victim because of his/her race, sexual orientation, ethnicity or gender identity. The term “hate crime” is used t...
...o more attacks and feeling alienated, helpless, suspicious and fearful. (Ochi) This is an entry in a report regarding hate crime given by Rose Ochi from the U.S. Department of Justice. It explains all too well what people of both sides of hate crime feel. Those that commit hate crimes mentally ill; however psychologists do find that they have a, “high level of aggression and antisocial behavior.” (Dunbar) It was very interesting to find that those who commit hate crime offenses premeditate their crimes and will drive further out to commit these crimes.
Lyons, Christopher J. 2006. “Stigma or Sympathy? Attributions of Fault to Hate Crime Victims and Offenders.” American Sociological Association. 69:39-59
Hate crimes are crimes motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, and typically involve violence. Religious hate crimes come from a pre-conceived prejudice against a religion that varies from a person’s own belief. These hate crimes happen because the people or societies committing them are not resisting ethnocentrism. This is because people of one religion view their religion as superior
A hate crime is a crime motivated by several reasons that include religion, sexual orientation, race, nationality, gender etc. It typically involves physical violence, intimidation, threats and other means against the individual that is being targeted. It is a crime against the person and it can have a devastating impact on the victim. Several argue that hate crimes should be punished more severely. However, it is not a crime to hate someone or something if it does not lead to some sort of criminal offense.
A hate crime is a crime, usually involving violence or intimidation committed against others based partially or entirely on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or membership in another social group.
The dictionary defines a hate crime as "any of various crimes... when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)." It can be difficult to distinguish a hate crime from other crimes. Usually, a hate crime is detected by a background investigation of the accused person or eyewitness reports of the crime. In some cases, circumstantial evidence shows the intent of the accused.
Victims of crime will deal with a wide range of immediate, short-term and long-term reactions. All victims will experience shock, distress, numbness and disconnection. It can affect their emotional, psychological, physical, social, financial and spiritual wellbeing, causing people to change their behaviour and lifestyles. Victims who have suffered violent crimes and threats to their lives and personal injury will have a different reaction and have a harder time coping with their feelings than those who are victims of nonviolent crimes. As everyone reacts differently to similar offences it is impossible to predict what effects the individual victim will suffer.