Why is the theory of "Hate Crimes" legislation so difficult to understand? Is it because of the name "Hate Crimes"? Or, is it just willful ignorance and an unwillingness to learn?
The theory behind hate crimes legislation is that the protected groups are victims of crimes, not because they are hated on a "personal" level, but because the group they belong to is hated. The only reason they are attacked is because they are a part of that hated group. And, the attack is not intended to just hurt the person who was attacked. It is also intended to send a message to the rest of the members of the group. The attacker is also sending the message that you better "stay in line" or you'll be next.
Hate crimes legislation also allows the federal government to get involved in the investigation of a crime when the local government can't or won't investigate. When the "local yokel" sheriff doesn't investigate because the victim was gay and they deserved what they got.
What do you think "lynchings" and "cross burnings" in the south were all about. They were to scare the shit out of the rest of the black community. And, how often did the local authorities look the other way and not investigate and/or prosecute the crimes?
That's what Hate Crimes legislation is designed to take care of.
It doesn't mean "some people are more protected", it means "some reasons for crime are more heinous".
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