Hate Crimes In America

Words: 3243
Pages: 13

A 49-year-old man is enjoying the summertime until a horrific incident occurs. Shattered lives and unhealed wounds are caused due to a person's skin color and race. The brutal murder of James Byrd Jr., where he was dragged behind a truck, was a signal to everyone that acts of violence are still a disturbing part of our society. But this was just a wake-up call for our nation, where fear is sparked not by one's actions, but by their appearance and beliefs. As Elena Grigera said, “a harsh reminder to all Americans that violent crimes motivated by prejudice continue to disrupt our nation's sense of racial harmony” (Grigera). A life brutally taken, a community shaken, and a nation forced to confront the ugly truth of hate crimes. This is just the …show more content…
A writer and journalist highlights the devastating effects of hate crimes and argues that they not only terrorize individual victims but also threaten the overall sense of safety in America. Where she identifies the effect that hate crimes have, she states, “it can be argued that hate crimes terrorize not one victim but many and that such assaults threaten the very fabric of the American sense of safety” (Grigera). It is important to recognize that hate crimes not only impact the immediate victims, but also create a hostile and divisive environment. It is crucial to protect a culture where diversity is celebrated, rather than attacked. The history of hate crimes continues throughout history, but the government never realized all it takes is stricter laws and penalties to prevent hate crimes and ensure justice for everyone, no matter their gender, race, or looks. Laws can send a clear message that hate and violence will not be allowed, as well as hate and discrimination. They also provide an equal amount of justice for victims and their communities. Lawmakers need to continually review and strengthen existing laws to ensure they are effective in fighting hate …show more content…
Education is the most effective solution to hate crimes, allowing it to create a future where love is chosen over hate. Out of all these solutions, education is a powerful tool against hate crimes. It nurtures empathy, and perspectives, and teaches respect for all. By learning about and celebrating our differences, we can break down the barriers of ignorance that often lead to prejudice and hate. Educating ourselves and others is a proactive step towards a community where diversity is embraced and everyone feels safe and respected. Hate crimes are an important problem that individuals need to address. Hate crimes are acts of violence or hostility that create fear within communities. Victims are encouraged to speak up, raise awareness, and fight against this issue. These hate crimes are created by the harm done to a person's race, religion, sexuality, or disability. These crimes deeply hurt the individual targeted, but the group they represent has the same culture. Not only is hate crime a crime, but it targets individuals because of who they are and is also fueled by