Friday, October 30, 2009
Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Recently, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which is defense against hate crimes, including those based on sexual orientation or race. This bill is good for our society because it brings a larger awareness to this form of hate crimes and helps prevent them in order to achieve greater equality for all. The bill helps stop higher level crimes, which are physical, such as beating or torture, but does not, and unfortunately cannot, stop psychological hate crimes. These psychological hate crimes can be as simple as insulting someone, but they are still detrimental because it has a similar effect on the person receiving the hatred as physical crimes, even though its effects are not outwardly visible. This bill is a step towards a greater acceptance of people, but the actions leading toward either acceptance or hatred start much earlier in life than this bill addresses, or is able to alter. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act sets boundaries on what is acceptable in society, and clearly states that it is unlawful for a person to display their hatred of a group by crime against people in that group. It is beneficial for our nation that the subject of hate crimes be addressed because it leads to a more productive society that works together and is more unified. Although though some people in our society may have different views, regarding sexual preference or race, than others within this country, this bill creates a more unified environment for everyone. People are still able to show that their ideas differ from those around them, but now they are required to display those in a peaceful way, instead of acting violently towards other human beings of differing ideals. This new law helps raise the standards of what our country will tolerate to a new, higher, and better station.
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While I agree hate crimes are a horrible thing, unfortunately, the people that commit hate crimes are not going to stop because of a law. It is difficult to legislate morality because not everyone shares the same morals as everyone else. Those that are going to commit hate crimes are going to do it regardless of whether there is a law or not. Unfortunately the Hate Crime Prevention Act that was signed into law will not create a unified environment since those individuals that are going to commit a hate crime do not consider the ramifications of committing a crime. To them it doesn’t matter if there is a law or not. Humans have been discriminating against each other since the dawn of time and a law will not change that. True hate crime prevention should start in the home. Parents should take more of an active role in raising their children and teaching them how to be proper participants of society by raising their children to be accepting and tolerant of others. While this may not be a guaranteed way to prevent hate crimes, it has the potential to be effective by instilling in children acceptance for others, which will hopefully prevent them from developing the attitudes that lead to hate crimes. By having hate crime laws, it only attempts to be a criminal deterrent that puts the government in a position for being responsible for individuals and allowing parents to escape responsibility.
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