I understand the purpose behind the law is to address the vicious assualts on individuals due to hatered of an idea or group. However, it seems to me that its more of an attempt to redirect thinking through coersion rather than persuasion. If two people are killed, one because of greed and the other because they are gay, I don't think that one is more important than the other just because the killing is directed at an idea. Also, if the purpose of hate legislation is to establish equality, doesn't it make one death unequal to the other in importance? So, they should be equal in life, but unequal in death?
1 Answer
The idea of the hate crime law is to try and limit deaths due to prejudice. These types of killings are typically more brutal in nature than your run of the mill murder due to greed. Many of the victims of hate crimes are tortured first before being killed. There are also more murders committed due to hate born of prejudice than murders due to greed. Should all murder sentences be equal? Yes but due to our judicial system and plea bargains and early release, they never will be.
11 years ago. Rating: 1 | |