LGBT Race and Hate Crimes

Hate crimes are crimes involving a person targeted because of their disability, belief/religion, transgender identity, sexual orientation, or race/ethnicity. Hate crimes can also be committed against property. A good example of this is a burning cross on a front lawn. The reality is hate crimes can be committed against anyone and although hate incidents are not crimes, they can easily escalate into crimes. By working with law enforcement and collecting evidence, a hate incident may be prevented from turning into a hate crime.

Hate crime is not as common as it used to be in the United States. Hate crimes were most common during the Civil Rights era when racism was common in the United States. Hate crimes were also commonplace when before the gay rights movement took shape with several highly publicized incidents appearing on the news like the Matthew Shepherd murder and the murder of a trans man by the name of Brandon Teena.

These murders are examples of the kind of hate that existed and still exists today in America and the level of violence people are capable of when they do not like something or feel threatened by it. While hate crimes have not been as publicized as they were in past years, hate crimes are still happening with thousands of cases reported to the FBI annually. 2014 alone had 5,642 single-bias incidents reported. (FBI) Almost half of them (47%) were racially motivated. 63.% of the crimes were against individuals and the rest against property (36.1%).

While most of the crimes involved simple assault (37.4%) and intimidation (43.1%), the fact that businesses were also targeted at 17.6% is alarming. (FBI) This means those that are prejudice and angry are targeting their hate not just on individuals, but businesses as well. Educating one's self on hate crimes provides a better picture of the level of hate crime still around in the United States.

The United States may have made progress in electing a black President and providing equal rights to blacks and other people of color since the late 60's, but there is still racism in the country. Considering the amount of hate crimes on people of color whether it is black on white or white on black or black on other, or white on other, it shows that racial tension is strong along with anxieties and fears against the LGBT community who suffered a number of hate crimes at 18.6%.

(FBI) Hate crimes tend to happen in areas where there are not many people. Secluded areas are perfect for someone to commit their crime in secret without fear of anyone coming to aid the victim. Many of the hate crimes against the LGBT community for example, are often premeditated meaning the assailant waits and stalks the victim, knowing where they go and where they may find them so they can either assault them or take them somewhere to commit a crime.

Some statistics reveal hate crimes take place near schools, residential properties (32%), and on highways. "The FBI also reports that 19% of hate crimes committed took place on highways, roads, alleys, or streets. Another 11% of those crimes took place at schools and colleges, while 28% were widely distributed across different locations." (Partners against Hate) The main oppressors in hate crimes are white men. This is because this group feels the most threatened out of any groups when it comes to their status and their position in society.

"The organized white racist movement has traditionally attracted and represented position and interests of men, and the vast majority of hate crimes are committed by white males. The fact that the organized racist movement is made up primarily of men, is also an issue of gender." (Blazak and Perry 73) Although women make up a percentage of the population involved in hate groups, men are the main perpetrators and the main predators.

Things like ego and herd mentality also have a part to play since a lot of these hate crimes result from a perceived threat or a lack of understanding about the victim and their culture/sexuality/religious beliefs. It can be very difficult to prove someone committed a hate crime. Many people commit crimes for selfish reasons and the motive of someone can easily be turned into something else.

In order for a hate crime to receive the kind of harsh punishment expected since a hate crime is directed to a group not just an individual, the state where the person committed the crime must have rules against that explicit offense. Out of 50 states, 44 have rules against crimes based on a bias against race, religion, or ethnicity. 29 states have laws protecting people victimized due.