Reply #93: There is a difference though

[bookfreak]

If I commit a crime against Bob because I am angry at him for doing X against me, that is an isolated incident. Bob and only Bob has been affected and put in danger. Assuming I have gotten over my issue with him and don't intend a repeat offense, Bob may not even be in further danger.

If I decide however that I hate blacks and want to commit crimes against them simply because they are black, that is an entirely different story. Then an entire *group* of people are in danger simply because of their class. Any random person in that group can be a victim at any moment, even if I have never met them in my life.

That is the particularly heinous nature of a "hate crime". The idea that a person can be made a victim for no reason other than the fact that they belong to a particular group that some person, or group of persons, has decided to hate. Gays/lesbians, blacks, some particular religion, a disfavored political group, whatever.

That is why "hate crime" laws need to exist.