Essay On Hate Crime
There has been an ongoing issue of hate crime in America. Surprisingly, there are many factors that can constitute a hate crime. It is important to not only review hate crime itself, but also the person committing the hate crime and how it can be prevented. Hate crime is a broad topic and has been interpreted differently by many. There are policies and laws in place in an effort to stop hate crime, yet it is still a prominent issue that is increasing rapidly in America today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines hate crime as, “bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity” (Hate Crimes). It is critical to understand that someone is being biased when they commit a hate crime,
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Jenny Ardley, a lecturer in Applied Criminology wrote in her article, “Hate Crimes: A Brief Review,” that crimes motivated by hate can leave a greater impact on the victim than other crimes that are motivated at random from an unbiased perspective (Ardley, 2005, p. 55). Ardley also explains in the article that the never-ending change within society will continue to make hate crime extremely hard to define because of the ever-changing social norms (Ardley, 2005, p.55). According to the article, “The symbolic purpose of hate crime law: Ideal victims and emotion,” by Gail Mason discusses how citizens should regain morals and learn that prejudice is wrong, not just because it is against the law (Mason, 2013, p. 75). Morals are held closely to most people, but some can become extreme in their beliefs resulting in unfair hate crimes. The purpose of this paper is fivefold: First, to define hate crime and its variations, as well as the scope of the problem in the United States; Second, to briefly explain labeling theory and how labeling theory may be used to explain hate crime; Third, identify and describe the victims and offender of hate crime. Finally, a policy to assist in the prevention of hate crime will be identified and
Jenny Ardley, a lecturer in Applied Criminology wrote in her article, “Hate Crimes: A Brief Review,” that crimes motivated by hate can leave a greater impact on the victim than other crimes that are motivated at random from an unbiased perspective (Ardley, 2005, p. 55). Ardley also explains in the article that the never-ending change within society will continue to make hate crime extremely hard to define because of the ever-changing social norms (Ardley, 2005, p.55). According to the article, “The symbolic purpose of hate crime law: Ideal victims and emotion,” by Gail Mason discusses how citizens should regain morals and learn that prejudice is wrong, not just because it is against the law (Mason, 2013, p. 75). Morals are held closely to most people, but some can become extreme in their beliefs resulting in unfair hate crimes. The purpose of this paper is fivefold: First, to define hate crime and its variations, as well as the scope of the problem in the United States; Second, to briefly explain labeling theory and how labeling theory may be used to explain hate crime; Third, identify and describe the victims and offender of hate crime. Finally, a policy to assist in the prevention of hate crime will be identified and