Is it the case that to brand a violent act a "hate-crime" is to cede that there IS a FUNDAMENTAL difference between individuals of different creed, orientation, ethnicity, et cetera? Why or why not?
by 
LaissezErik
ANSWERS: 3
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No, I think using that term just makes it clear that the person committing the crime thought there was one.
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I don't know that the differences are fundamental, but it's naive not to acknowledge that differences do exist among different groups of people. People of different races don't share the same human experience, nor do gay and straight people, muslims or christians. We do look different, pray differently, act differently, value differently. However, these differences don't have to pull us or keep us apart. They also shouldn't inspire hate, resentment or racism.
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No. The point of hate crime law is to recognize that the crime as a message affects more than just the victim, but is also an attack on a larger group. Though the "acts" are almost identical, tagging a street sign is not the same as painting a swastika on a Synagogue. An unauthorized trash fire is Not the same as burning a cross... Assault on on person based SOLEY on his/her creed, orientation, ethnicity (et al) is an assault on all members of that group designed to intimidate/humiliate. It is an act of domestic terrorism against a selected group. This does not mean that people possessing that characteristic are better/worse/different than any other.
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