Hate Crimes in America: Causes, Statistics, and Solutions

Defining Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents

Hate crimes are offenses committed against a person because of their disability, belief or religion, transgender identity, sexual orientation, or race and ethnicity. Hate crimes can also be committed against property — a burning cross on a front lawn is a well-known example. The reality is that hate crimes can be committed against anyone. Although hate incidents are not criminal offenses in themselves, they can easily escalate into crimes. By working with law enforcement and collecting evidence, a hate incident may be prevented from becoming a hate crime.

Historical Context and Ongoing Prevalence

Hate crime is not as common in the United States as it once was. Hate crimes were most prevalent during the Civil Rights era, when racism was deeply embedded in American society. They were also widespread before the gay rights movement took shape, with several highly publicized incidents making national news — among them the murder of Matthew Shepard and the murder of a trans man named Brandon Teena. These cases illustrate the depth of hatred that existed then and still exists today, as well as the level of violence people are capable of when they feel threatened by or resentful of others who are different from them.

FBI Statistics: Scope and Targets

While hate crimes have not received the same level of media attention as in past decades, thousands of cases are still reported to the FBI annually. In 2014 alone, 5,642 single-bias incidents were reported (FBI). Nearly half of them — 47% — were racially motivated. Sixty-three percent of the crimes were committed against individuals, while 36.1% targeted property (FBI).

Although most offenses involved simple assault (37.4%) and intimidation (43.1%), the fact that businesses were also targeted in 17.6% of cases is alarming (FBI). This means that those motivated by prejudice are directing their hatred not only at individuals but at commercial establishments as well.

Educating oneself about hate crimes provides a clearer picture of the problem's ongoing scope. The United States has made progress — electing a Black president and extending legal protections to people of color since the late 1960s — yet racial tension remains strong. The volume of racially motivated hate crimes, regardless of the racial identities involved, demonstrates that prejudice persists, as do anxieties and hostility directed at the LGBT community, which accounted for 18.6% of hate crime victims (FBI).

Where Hate Crimes Occur and Who Commits Them

Hate crimes tend to occur in areas where few people are present. Secluded locations are ideal for perpetrators who want to commit their offenses without fear of bystanders intervening. Many hate crimes against LGBT individuals, for example, are premeditated: the assailant monitors the victim's routines and chooses a moment to strike either in a public space or by luring the victim to a more isolated setting. Statistics indicate that hate crimes frequently occur near schools, residential properties (32%), and on public roads. As one source notes, "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 primary perpetrators of hate crimes are white men. This demographic tends to perceive threats to its social status more acutely than other groups. As scholars Randy Blazak and Barbara Perry observe, "The organized white racist movement has traditionally attracted and represented the 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 constitute a portion of hate group membership, men remain the primary perpetrators. Ego and herd mentality also play a role, as many hate crimes stem from a perceived threat to the perpetrator's identity or from a fundamental lack of understanding of the victim's culture, sexuality, or religious beliefs.

Works Cited

Blazak, Randy, and Barbara Perry. Hate Crimes. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers, 2009. Print.

FBI. "Latest Hate Crime Statistics Available." FBI. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 May 2016.

Partners against Hate. "Frequently Asked Questions About Hate Crimes and Hate on the Internet." Partnersagainsthate.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 May 2016.