The true meaning of equality

America stands for liberty, equality, and justice for all. Hate crime legislation seeks to further these ideals, not hinder them. “The true meaning of equality” allows for a nation that protects its citizens regardless of race, color, or creed. This is exactly what our nation and its hate crime laws stand for as they seek to discourage crimes motivated by abhorrence against a particular race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender. These laws shield everybody from hate, not just minorities.

The law does not allow for people of different colors to have “special protection”, rather it punishes individuals for the adverse effect their heinous action has on society. When a Klan member lights fire to a cross on a black person’s lawn, the repercussions of this act create a sense of fear and anxiety amongst the entire community. The consequences of this action have far more severe effects than that of a minor arson. Should the Klan member not be punished to a greater extent? It’s true to say that if a white man drags a black man and kills him, then he should be given the death penalty, but if somebody burns a cross on your yard or vandalizes your property with racial slurs, will a simple fine tell these people that our society does not tolerate hatred?

Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, murders and hate crimes against Muslims and those with “terrorist features” saw a tragic increase. The level of fear was evident throughout the South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Muslim population as American flags were hung from cars and houses to exhibit patriotism to those who saw brown skin as a disloyal characteristic. Blind hate and ignorance caused two homicides in the Dallas area and more than forty such incidents were reported across America. Hundreds of acts of vandalism and assault were reported as well. Should these narrow-minded few not be held liable for the pain and fear they caused millions?

Comparing our hate crime laws to the endangered species program isn’t just ignorant, it’s scary. Equivocating human beings to animals is ludicrous; it is these laws that differentiate us from animals. If a white man were attacked by a mob of minorities, the laws would yield him the same protection. If hate crimes are dealing a crippling blow to minorities, then what are the brutal beatings, vandalisms, and murders doing to them? Civil rights activists don’t want special protection. Tell that to Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Minorities are simply asking for equal protection so that they as well can realize their hopes and dreams.

I implore the author to walk a day in the shoes of a minority, and then readdress his sentiments on the issue. The truth is that hate crime laws, for the most part, are used to protect minorities. But, this is due to the fact that minorities tend most often to be the victims of hate motivated crimes. Racism still plagues the hearts of a few, and hate crime laws are in place to make these pitiful few think twice before actualizing their hate. These laws send a message that hate crimes will not be tolerated by our society. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Hate crime laws seek to eliminate injustice and afford us all (white, black, brown, or yellow) the equal protection and safety that our nation promises. This is our country; this is real equality.