Hate Crimes

The United States is one of the most diverse nations in terms of race and ethnicity. Individuals interpret these differences in two ways, some welcoming them with open arms, while others fear them and these fears bring about a hatred that can lead to violent criminal acts. These criminal acts refer to crimes committed not out of animosity toward a victim as an individual, but out of hostility toward the group to which the victim belongs. These acts of hate are refered to as hate crimes and used to be driven solely on hatred for one’s race but now they include hostility towards one's religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. Historically the most publicized hate crimes are those which are committed by whites toward blacks; and the media, politicians, and civil rights groups only illustrate those crimes where minorities are murdered or assaulted. The media most often depicts hate crimes as being inflicted on one race to another when in reality hate crimes occur with in rac...