Phenomenon of Hate Crimes - Assignment Example

? Hate Crimes Hate crimes are crimes of prejudice and hatred. Also called race hate or bias motivated crimes, they occur when perpetrators target victims based on their perceived relationship with specified social groups (Finn & Taylor, 1987). The groups may be religious, ethnic, racial, social or sexual. Hate crimes are driven by ignorance, anger and not knowing others’ beliefs and ideas. The federal law recognizes hate crime as an added element of predisposition to traditional crimes. Incidents of hate crime are commonly exhibited in verbal abuse, lynching, harassment, vandalism and offensive mails or graffiti. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) first investigated hate crimes in the era of World War I with the advent of the activities of the Ku Klux Klan attracting public attention. Hate Crimes Introduction With a history longer than the United States itself, hate crime has rapidly been gaining increasing concerns among policy makers, both in the United States and many other countries. There are documented examples in modern day United States and Europe of groups that threaten and harass perceived minorities in stereotype style. Religious and racial biases have been the key factors inspiring perpetrators in the United States (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). This paper will address the issue of hate crime in the United States. Question One According to a research conducted among victims, police officials and the offenders themselves, profiles of hate crime perpetrators are grouped into four key classes based on the offenders’ motivation (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). First, there are offenders who take part in hate crimes purely for the thrill or excitement. Secondly, there are those who believe they are acting in defense of their territory. The third class is the one with a life mission to eliminate groups they perceive to be inferior or evil from the world. The forth class comprises of offenders who act in retaliation to other hate crimes against themselves or a member of their group. Results of the research indicated that hate crimes motivated by thrill and excitement were the most common (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). The perpetrators blamed their actions on boredom as they moved around gay bars, minority neighborhoods or temples in search of victims. The targets were picked because the perpetrators perceived that the targets were in some way radically different from them (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). Further studies indicate that while hate groups are a grave threat to the society, majority of them do not belong to structured hate groups (Jacobs & Potter, 1998). It was also established that more than 50 percent of them are below the age of 25 years, with yet a considerable number under 18 years old. Question Two Although members of minority groups are at greater risk of falling victims to hate crime, anyone else in society may be targeted. Victims of hate crime may be institutions, individuals, society or a business. Irrespective of the motives of the attackers, victims are always targeted not for who they are but rather, for what they are perceived to be (Finn & Taylor, 1987). The attacks are aimed at the whole community of the identified target group. Most people find themselves victimized basing on religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity and race or ethnicity. On religion, violence and bias against Arab and Muslim Americans got to its peak following the happenings of September 11, 2001. Furthermore, because of lack of knowledge, Sikhs have been targeted mistakenly as Muslims (Jacobs & Potter, 1998). Another group of victims is occasioned by sexual orientation. A 2007 report by the FBI recorded more than 1,400 hate crimes against gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the United States. The same report recorded that people with disabilities are between five to 10 times more likely to be victims of hate crimes than those without disabilities. 62 and 20 hate crimes against people with mental and physical disabilities respectively were reported in the same year (Jacobs & Potter, 1998). Gender identity also contributes to possibility of being victimized in hate crime. Transgender and individuals who do not conform to a particular gender identity are always at high risk of attack. Question Three Hate crimes may be caused by factors ranging from politics, inferiority complexes, misinformation, economic strains and rumors (Finn & Taylor, 1987). Young people who have grown up in dysfunctional families are generally of low self esteem and lonely. Driven by emotions of rage, they turn to hate groups in a bid to create alternative family settings. Flaws in the judicial system sees increasing numbers of juveniles being tried as and alongside adults, ending up in adult prison systems that flourish with white supremacy. Upon their release from prison, such persons are already steadfast white supremacists. They will easily find their way into hate crime. Effects of hate crime are evident at both individual and community level. While violent crime has the potential to subject its victims to psychological distress, victims of hate crime are at more risk of suffering from it (Finn & Taylor, 1987). Individuals who have been victims of hate crime display stress, depression, anger and anxiety. The survivors of hate crime are also exposed to the risk of developing various mental ailments like posttraumatic stress disorder. This disorder, also known as PTSD occurs in response to events that involved injury, threat of harm or even death. Other effects seen in such persons include intrusive thoughts of recurrences, inability or refusal to talk about the events, irritability, disturbed sleep and emotionally withdrawing from others. They lose ability to concentrate on work and are mostly in unhealthy relationships. More advanced effects include substance abuse and violence. Effects of hate crime on the society include feelings of insecurity and trauma. For example, hate crime targeted at a church will leave long memories of insecurity among the congregation. Fear among them leads to trauma. Continuous attacks on such a church may lead to members abandoning it altogether in fear of their lives (Finn & Taylor, 1987). Belonging to a targeted community may breakdown a person, which in turn involves the community because they will have to care for him. Question Four Federal law may decrease incidents of hate crime by stepping up campaigns for harsher penalties to the offenders (Jacobs & Potter, 1998). However, minority groups do not have to necessarily continue providing targets for hate crimes. The greatest responsibility in minimizing occurrences of hate crime lies with them. Several cautionary steps they may take include; Avoid Talking To Strangers Although not necessarily meaning that they stop interactions with strangers altogether, minority groups should be vigilant and avoid getting into arguments or confrontations with them. They should also avoid accompanying strangers to unfamiliar places, especially if the strangers outnumber them (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). Be Conscious of Their Surroundings The minorities likely to be targeted should avoid situations like walking with headphones on or talking on mobile phones in high risk areas. They should always make a point of paying attention to the environment and watch out for stalkers. It is safer to stay in well lit public spaces whenever possible that deserted alleys. Cell phones should be readily accessible and car keys ready while walking towards their cars. Emergency contacts should be programmed for speed dialing (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). Spend Time in Diverse Locations Although hate crimes can occur anywhere, perpetrators are thrown off track by people who spend their time in communities with broad mixtures of members. People should aspire to work, live and conduct social activities in places with others who will identify with their beliefs. Travelling to any part of the state is an individual’s right, but it is prudent to avoid locations known for supremacist activity (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). Conclusion In conclusion, hate crime should be dealt with by the law like any other crime it addresses. The underlying aspect of bias in hate crimes has the potential to cause far reaching effects to victims than in other crimes of violence or robbery. More programs should also be initiated to offer counseling services to survivors of hate crime. Although results may not be realized in the near future, inclusive methods, search as crusades, should also be introduced to teach perpetrators of hate crime about the evil it brings to society (McDevitt, Levin & Bennett, 2002). References Finn, P., & Taylor, M. (1987). The response of the criminal justice system to bias crime: An exploratory review. Washington: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. Jacobs, J., & Potter, K. (1998). Hate crimes: criminal law and identity politics. New York: Oxford University Press. McDevitt, J., Levin, J., & Bennett, S. (2002). Hate crimes offenders: An expanded typology. Journal of Social Issues, 58(2), 303-317. Read More