Jenna Harris

Period 2
Ms. Browne
English 10H


Hate Crime legislation
Is there a need for hate crime legislation? That question is a very debatable topic. My research
is important to readers because hate crime legislation may affect a readers life personally. Also, my
research could be important to readers because the reader may want to learn more information on this
topic and they could receive a narrow view on the hate crime legislation topic with very strong
information. Hate crime legislation is a topic that is viewed by many types of groups. Hate crime
legislation is a debatable topic on whether there should be legislation on it or not. Some say that hate
crime legislation is necessary to protect the targeted groups, but others say that having hate crime
legislation is unnecessary and creates more of a topic to government officials. Before I began my
research I knew a little amount about the topic of hate crime legislation, and I wanted to learn what
people thought about having hate crime legislation. The research process was very time consuming and
was difficult. In order to understand the significance of the controversy, one must first understand the
reasons for hate crime and who it may affect. The proponents position states that having hate crime
legislation would help relieve pressure from hate crime victims, while the contrarian position states
having hate crime legislation is pointless because no one should be charged because of the motive of
the crime.
My topic Is there a need for hate crime legislation? is a very debatable topic. I knew that the
government is still debating and trying to enforce hate crime legislation but it is a hard, long process. My
government class is where I have learned the information about hate crime legislation before I began
the research paper. I have learned a little about hate crime legislation from past research. I learned that
there should have been hate crime legislation a long time ago when racism was a large problem. For
example, the Emmett Till case in 1955. Lastly, a family friend of mine has been affected by the hate
Jenna Harris
Period 2
Ms. Browne
English 10H


crime legislation. Her son was attacked verbally by a few peers for being gay; this is why I chose this
topic to explore.
The topic of hate crime legislation has interested me for a few years so I have chosen this topic
to learn more information about the topic. I have chosen this topic in hope to learn more about whether
or not there should be hate crime legislation or not. Also, I wanted to explore what other people
thought about the topic. I wanted to view different sides of the topic. Lastly, Ive always been interested
in history. I loved to learn and study stories in history about hate crimes. I hope to learn the limitations
on what could be considered hate crime, and whether we should have legislation on it. What I learn will
affect readers because it will give them more background information and they will have a more
educated understanding of the topic.
The research process for gathering information, organizing information and putting information
into paragraphs was a very tedious process. To find my sources of information I went onto SIRS and
ProQuest database. Difficulties that I have encountered during the research process was limiting my
information to the most important information and getting things turned in on time. I tried to solve
these problems by asking questions when needed and trying my hardest to focus.
All crimes have different motives to why its happening. A hate crimes motive happens to be out
of hatred. Law enforcers have seen an increasing number of hate crimes over the past few years. Many
law enforcers over-see that punishing someone for committing a crime and for the motive of the crime
is uncalled for. Anger, jealousy, and greed are not crimes. Assault and battery, murder, and theft are
crimes. (Against Hate Crime Legislation online). Also, Hate crimes have become more of a target for
criminals. They have been committing more hate crimes then other crimes. Over the past few years the
nation has experienced an alarming number disturbing and sometimes deadly hate crimes. (Wessler 1-
Jenna Harris
Period 2
Ms. Browne
English 10H


19). Lastly, Hate crime legislation has not primarily been motivated by organized hate groups, but by
unorganized acts of individuals or groups of individuals. (Jacobs Online).
Having hate crime legislation would release stress upon targets of the crimes motivated by hate.
If hate crime legislation existed in the US, American citizens would have less tension between races and
ethnics. Hate crime legislation might contribute to the deterioration of Americas strained race and
ethnic relations, (Jacobs Online) It is plausible to claim that the systematic victimization of one group
by another leaves the members of the victimized group extraordinarily vulnerable and insecure, (Jacobs
Online). If we had hate crime legislation, the attacks caused by hate would decrease the victims of hate
crime. The victims would not have to live in worry and fear of being attacked again. Hate crime impacts
the victims more than other crimes. Even were we to accept the claim that hate crime inflicts greater
suffering, distress, and injury than not hate crime, some distinctions would be necessary, (Jacobs
Online). If there was hate crime legislation there would not is suffering caused by hate in crimes.
Hate crime legislation could cause more of an issue to Americas society rather than not having
hate crime legislation. Hate crime legislation border on hatred itself, (Against hate crime legislation
online). Hate crime legislation would cause more of an issue because hate crime legislation is targeting
the victim twice in one crime. A crime is a crime. Hate is a motive. (Against hate crime legislation
online). Hate crime shouldnt be legislation. No one should be charged with crime and the motive to
their crime. Different crimes have different motives and hate crimes should not be targeted. Hate crime
legislation has a higher impact and stress on people than the actual hate crime itself. The social and
personal impact rationales for hate crime legislation are all harm-oriented. (Jacobs online)
I would suggest that there should be hate crime legislation in our society. Hate crime legislation
would relieve stress from targets of the crime and they would live without the fear of being a certain
Jenna Harris
Period 2
Ms. Browne
English 10H


color, race or religion. If we did not have hate crime legislation then people may target someone just
because of skin color with is uncalled for.