Before we can rein in hate crime, we have to admit the size of the problem

[guillaumeb]

Last week the Federal Bureau of Investigation released its annual report on hate crime statistics, based on data from the year 2018. As in previous years, the FBI’s numbers paint a damning picture of hate in America: Anti-Semitic homicides in the United States reached their highest level ever; racially motivated hate against Latinos went up by 13% since the year before, and 48% over the past five years; anti-transgender hate crimes rose nearly 34%; and anti-Sikh attacks increased 300% over the past year.

While reported hate crimes decreased slightly overall, from 7,175 in 2017 to 7,120 in 2018, the statistics show that the incidents had become more violent. Hate crimes targeting individuals (as opposed to property) rose to 4,571 — an 11.8% increase since 2017.

But as bad as the FBI’s data is, the reality is likely worse. These numbers tell us only part of the story of hate in America, because most hate crimes still go unreported in our country. According to the Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, an average of 250,000 hate crimes occur on American soil every year; the latest FBI data, however, only documented 7,210 incidents. Based on these estimates, the FBI data captures less than 3% of the overall picture....

If we don’t understand the nature and magnitude of hate in this country, how can we expect to address it effectively?

https://religionnews.com/2019/11/18/before-we-can-rein-in-hate-crime-we-have-to-admit-the-size-of-the-problem/

Trump did not start this problem, but his rhetoric and behavior embolden people to be open about their hate and racism.

[ehrnst]

1. Indeed. Simply saying something like "we need to bring our people together" doesn't cut it.

Last edited Wed Nov 20, 2019, 10:21 AM - Edit history (1)

We evidence based solutions, and that means starting with gathering and analyzing the data.

Then addressing the problem using that data and have policy experts on the issue of white supremacy and violence, along with those who are the targets, to come up with specific, concrete federally based actions to address it.

[guillaumeb]

3. But these crimes are committed by a few in Trump's own base.

Racism is foundational to the GOP appeal to white voters.

[ehrnst]

8. How does that address my post?

Do you disagree with the solutions that I proposed?

In what way?

[guillaumeb]

9. No, I agree. Sorry for the confusion.

But white racists are often unable to even admit that they are racists. I have dealt with Nazis and Act for America members over the last 2 years, and they will deny being racists even as they repeat standard racist lines.

So yes, we need honest conversations, but first, we need to educate people about racism and how it can be expressed.

[dewsgirl]

2. I listen to the Weekly List podcast, by Amy Siskind,

these incidents are multiplying at an increasingly frenetic pace.

[guillaumeb]

4. And these racists are becoming more open about their racism.

Trump validates and emboldens it.

[dewsgirl]

5. I keep saying, I'm running out of words to describe how awful

things are getting. Just beyond awful.😔

[guillaumeb]

6. When an open Nazi can run as the official GOP candiate in the Illinois 3rd Congressional District,

and when that open Nazi receives over 56,000 votes, votes that were concentrated in majority white precincts, things are truly bad.

[dewsgirl]

7. 😥