All crimes are hate crimes (homosexual, anti-gay, preference)

[Bishka]

This came to me the other day, and Pah's thread brought it up.

I hate how people label crimes against gays, blacks, mexicans, and other minorities a hate crime.

ALL CRIMES ARE HATE CRIMES. It doesn't matter whether you are black, white, gay, polka-dotted, or short.

Let's say a heterosexual attacked a homoseuxal(and not because they were homosexual), that would be labeled a hate crime, yet if the homosexual attacked the heterosexual for the same reasons (not sexual preference at all) it would NOT be labeled a hate crime.

I see this as wrong, in SO many ways. If you are going to call one thing a hate crime, ALL must be a hate crime.

A solution might be, "Sex crimes" or "Race crimes". Not hate crimes, because like I said, all crimes (usually) are done out of hate or some animosty, disliking or want of something from another person or place.

*Steps off soap-box*

[Fluffy]

Let's say a heterosexual attacked a homoseuxal(and not because they were homosexual), that would be labeled a hate crime, yet if the homosexual attacked the heterosexual for the same reasons (not sexual preference at all) it would NOT be labeled a hate crime.

As far as I am aware, there has to be proof of intent which is a difficult thing to provide at best. If a homosexual person was attacked by a straight person then this is not automatically determined to be a hate crime by law although the media may decide to label it as such.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Let's say a heterosexual attacked a homoseuxal(and not because they were homosexual), that would be labeled a hate crime,

No, it wouldn't. There has to be proof that the person was attacked solely for that reason.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Not hate crimes, because like I said, all crimes (usually) are done out of hate or some animosty, disliking or want of something from another person or place.

I have no stats to back this up and can't be bothered to go looking for any, but it would be my guess that most crimes (if you're lumping all crimes together) are done because of greed.

[pdoel]

I've never really understood the purpose of labeling something a "hate crime".

If you beat the crap out of someone, is there a stiffer penalty if it's deemed a "hate crime"? Shouldn't the penalty be the same no matter what the reason?

[Victor]

Originally Posted by pdoel

I've never really understood the purpose of labeling something a "hate crime".

If you beat the crap out of someone, is there a stiffer penalty if it's deemed a "hate crime"? Shouldn't the penalty be the same no matter what the reason?

I suppose the idea that it's "hate crime" indicates that he/she may do it again to that particular group.

[c0da]

I wouldn't say that all crimes are hate crimes, but there are a lot more crimes motivated by hate than just anti-gay or anti-race crimes.

I don't think somebodies motives for a crime should really have to much of a say on their sentencing, the seriousness of the crime itself should determine the length.

[Fluffy]

On the other hand, does anybody think it might be harder to prove intent if a homosexual attacked a heterosexual than the other way around? Statistically the opposite is certainly more likely to be motivated by hate.

Either way, I do agree with becky that many crimes are caused by hate however I would point out that the popularisation of the term "hate crime" takes a special case of the word "hate" and it would be a mistake to feel that those who came up with it therefore felt that other crimes were not hatefully motivated. The emphasis is on bigotry and whether this should deserve a harsher punishment.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Victor

I suppose the idea that it's "hate crime" indicates that he/she may do it again to that particular group.

That's true, and something I had not considered. I imagine that it might lead to an increased pattern of violence for the person perpetuating it.