Hate crimes can be committed against some groups, but not against others. Thus the assault on a woman motivated by a prejudice against women is a hate crime; the assault on a redhead motivated by a prejudice against redheads is not. But it was as a redhead that I was bullied at school, and if you doubt the prejudice against redheads can be destructive read Jules Renard’s Poil de carotte.
If someone hits me in the face with a baseball bat it fairly safe presume such person is not fond of me, But I would not want him prosecuted for his preferences and predilections. I would want him prosecuted for a crime already long on the books — aggravated assault.
No comments:
Post a Comment