Hate Crimes

"Hate crime" is a modern name for a criminal act committed purely out of hostility towards certain people, groups, or organizations. Such crimes are motivated by racial, sexual, political, or other prejudice and typically involve violence. We tend to categorize crime as something for money or possessions, but hate crimes involve emotions. This makes the perpetrators especially dangerous, because any member of a targeted group can become a victim. Hate crimes have led to the emergence of laws, organizations, and federal agencies that work to counteract these senseless acts. Americans have reacted strongly to fight these crimes, with cities forming hate-crime prevention groups and Congress introducing a Hate Crime Prevention Act. This book traces the history of hate crimes, from the persecution of Native Americans, to modern cases, like the Oklahoma City bombing and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which was aimed at all Americans.