Hate Crime
In recent years it has been hard to ignore the increased reporting of hate crimes in local and international media. With every passing day there seems to more examples of crime motivated seemingly only out of hatred for who or what the person is. Today we are supposed to be living in a more racially diverse, economically stable and socially inclusive society so why are hate crimes increasing? In this essay I will attempt to explain and analyse the growing hate crime problem in our society. What is a hate crime? Who carries them out? What motivates individuals and groups in society to carry out these attacks? What are the underlying sociological explanations for these attacks?Firstly it is important to give a definition of what a hate crime is. According to the American Psychological Association a hate crime can be defined as 'violent acts against people, property, or organizations because of the group to which they belong or identify with.' (1) Hate crime is committed against a number of different people and groups because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Everyday gays, lesbians, transgenders, religious minorities and ethnic groups are subjected to physical and psychological damage due solely to who and w
Herek argues that a persons past interactions with gay males help to determine a homophobic attitude. Firstly the victims have received personal injury or their property has been damaged. However now that the Troubles are over these Loyalist paramilitaries, whose existence depended on the IRA and the need to defend, need to channel there anger and hate towards a new enemy and that enemy is now ethnic minorities. However with the rise of right wing extremists such as Jean Marie Le Pen in France and the BNP in Britain it looks as if hate crime incidents will continue to increase unless a mass programme of racial education is introduced. Another sociological reason for homophobic hate attacks is the prevalence of psychological hetrosexism. Also the fact that gay marriages have not been legitimised by law has helped to create the view that gay relationships are wrong. Academic studies have observed that in areas where the level of education is low then racism levels tend to be high. An extreme example of hate crime not committed by groups was in 1998 when James Byrd Jr. There are many underlying for racial hatred in America. They have their roots in normative, individual and societal attitudes and ideologies that lead to intimidation. 30% are attacks against person's properties and include robbing, vandalizing, destroying, stealing, or setting fire to vehicles, homes, stores, or places of worship. Due to lack of housing many of these immigrants have been housed in economically disadvantaged areas of cities which have caused tension and friction with locals. This case caused a massive shift in American politics as segregation and therefore institutional racism was no longer legal. The Village is a staunchly Protestant and Loyalist part of Belfast where a large number of ethnic minorities have been housed.
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