Hate crime
According to the New York Times published an article in 2008, a Queens’s judge released three detectives who had been brought before the court for the allegations of murder of a black American man, Sean Bell. On the eve of Mr. Bells wedding, these detectives shot him after having an argument. The setting free of these three detectives by Queens’s judge was not accepted by many people as they felt that these detectives had committed a severe hate crime against the victim. The people accused the judge of bias. This is because she failed to press any charges against these detectives even after it was clear that they had fired up fifty shots at Bell’s car thus killing Mr. Bell and his two friends. Much of the argument was sparked by the surprising decision that the judge made as she justified her decision by indicating that she felt that there was completely no cause to rule that the detectives were guilty. This is something that has raised so many questions and heated arguments about racial hate crimes and prejudice element of judges when it comes to such verdicts (Wilson 2008).
It is important to understand the nature and characteristics of hate crimes as it is vital in the recognition of such crimes. Hate crimes have diverse characteristics that include, these crimes are characterized by a complete dislike of someone and discrimination. The persons responsible for practicing hate crimes have an extreme bitterness that is prompted by preconceived notion against a given ethnic group or other social groups. Hate crimes are also characterized by attacks that are prompted by other frustrations. Another characteristic of this crime is that an act that an amount to an offense under the law is committed (Perry et al 2009).
Another component of this crime is that an act is often undertaken with a particular intention which is often regarded as bias. It is this characteristic that distinguishes this crime from other types of crimes.
The fact the Bell is black; the offenders selected him on the foundation of what they represent rather than who they are. This is to mean that the detectives did not necessarily hate Bell as a person but their criminal act clearly shows that they did this act simply because Bell represented the black American society. The message that was delivered was intended to reach not only Mr. Bell and his friends but the entire black society of which the victims are members. It is as a result of this element that the case prompted outrage from the entire black community in New York (Wilson 2008). Thus the killing was intended to convey a message of prejudice to the rest of the black community. The detectives used deadly force and justified their act indicating that they were in danger and they thought that someone amongst those who were with Bill in the car had a gun. Contrary to this, the scene was clear and there were no guns or firearms that were recovered (Wilson 2008).
Basing on the discussion above, it is clear that hate crimes are acts committed by other people simply because they are different from the offenders. It is therefore important for legislation to stress on the significance of upholding social order and respect for all people regardless of where they come from and their ethnic group. Hate crimes against the black American people in United States has however remained far much more numerous as compared to other hate crimes.
In conclusion, hate crimes are detrimental to the development of the society. This is because they have widespread consequences not only to the individuals but also to the entire society especially the society from the victims’ side.
References
Wilson M. (2008). 3 Detectives Acquitted in Bell Shooting. Retrieved from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/26/nyregion/26BELL.html
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Perry, B., Levin, B., Iganski, P., Blazak, R., & Lawrence, F. M. (2009). Hate crimes. Westport, Conn: Praeger Publishers.
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