Monday, November 13, 2017

A new FBI report shows hate crimes increased in 2016

http://www.refinery29.com/2017/11/180931/fbi-report-hate-crimes-increase-2016

The definition of a hate crime is a crime motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, usually involving violence. 2016 was a year that could very easily ensue a series of hate crimes. From the presidential election, to the events in Ferguson, to the shootings in Orlando; it seems as if no minority group was left out. This is a perfect circumstance for hate crimes: people are angry and have no control over the events that are happening. Hate crimes are constantly being stood up against, even as small, silent protests, such as Shia LaBeouf's HE WILL NOT DIVIDE US project. We can trace hate crimes all the way back to WWII, considering that Nazism is an awful, violent hate crime, making a whole religion feel inferior, and then abusing people with that mentality. An even earler example is given in an article from The Crime Museum webiste: "One of the earliest examples is from the Roman Empire, which was well known for persecuting various religious groups. According to several historical documents, Christianity was largely tolerated by Emperor Nero until the year 64 AD, when a tremendous fire destroyed a great portion of Rome. The Emperor felt he was being blamed for the damage, so he shifted the guilt to the Christians and called for anyone who followed the religion to be punished. This led to years of hate crimes against anyone who followed the beliefs of Christianity as well as several other religious groups." Therefore, it is a frequent action that takes place, and this past year has been the worst.

1 comment:

  1. I was not sure by what you meant by the presidential election being a hate crime. As in the election of the president or just events surrounding it such as the antifa riots and riots of other organizations in protest to the election? I am in no way defending donald trump but just want to clarify what you were saying.

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