Hate Crime Statistics Act Of 1990

Introduction

Since the beginning of time, there have been crimes against humanity that would today be considered bias-motivated, or “hate crimes”. It was not until the 1980’s, though, that this term was coined within the United States. The Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 defines hate crimes as, “crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, including where appropriate the crimes of murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, aggravate assault, simple assault, intimidation, arson, and destruction, damage or vandalism of property.” ( SOURCE) The act’s ability to broadly define all potentially victimized groups, and enact such into legislation, is a historical landmark in United

One of great prominence was the Supreme Court case, Brown vs. Board of Education. From such would come the ruling that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. This did not entail immediate change, however. There was heavy repercussion towards the ruling by many southern politicians, believing that it violated the rights of the states. This proves the lack of empathy for this minority group at the state level. It is no mystery as to why statutes for protection of these groups had not already been implemented. In hindsight, southern-American hate culture throughout the first half of the 20th century was one in which no American should be proud of. A hate crime is an act of hate towards anyone, or thing, that is bias-motivated. Segregation, in its entirety, could be considered, nothing less than, a large act of hate. And this was accepted as an ethical way of thought by many Americans during this time. For the sake of the country, though, a man whom recognized this absurdity would make an impact unlike the nation had ever seen. His name was Martin Luther King

Throughout these next few decades, many cultural shifts took place in America; especially in that of the decade following the bill. With liberalism flourishing, many movements that sparked unity throughout the country took place.

There was the fight for women’s rights, which birthed the Equal Rights Amendment. The Environmental Movement is worth noting, also, which brought about the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. Although there are many more to mention, these are great examples of shifts in which demanded unity and lack of hate. The intentions were great, and did make a great effort in achieving such, but there was still a notable hate culture present in America.

Fast forward to the 1990s. The term “hate crime” has now been coined, and state legislation surrounding the term is beginning to form. Coined within the decade prior, the term was now known to coincide with other wide-spread terms of discriminatory bias; such as prejudice, xenophobia, homophobia, etcetera. There was a constitutional challenge, however, in creating statues that specifically protected against those whom were victims of such