Southern Poverty Law Center

We the People have just witnessed an historic moment in our nation's history - the election of our first African-American president, fulfilling a dream that many Americans never thought they would live to see. Barack Obama's ascension to the Presidency surely marks racial progress in the U.S., yet a rash of hate crimes and bias incidents in the wake of his election clearly show that America is far from being a 'post-racial' nation - where race no longer matters and where racism no longer exists. In the weeks following the election, an increased wave of hate incidents demonstrated quite clearly that race still matters in this country. According to the Secret Service, President-elect Obama has received more threats than any incoming president in history.


Hate in America is a dreadful, daily constant and bias is a human condition. American history is rife with prejudice against groups and individuals because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other differences. The 20th century saw major progress in outlawing discrimination, and most Americans today support integrated schools and neighborhoods. But stereotypes and unequal treatment continues to persist and is often exploited by hate groups.

When bias motivates an unlawful act, it is considered a hate crime. Race and religion inspire most hate crimes, but hate today wears many faces. According to FBI statistics, the greatest growth in hate crimes in recent years is against Asian Americans and the gay and lesbian community. These crimes involve violence far more often than other crimes. In a report published on 11.21.05, the data showed 84 percent of hate crimes were violent, meaning they involved a sexual attack, robbery, assault or murder. By contrast, just 23 percent of non-hate crimes involved violence.



The report also showed that 56 percent of hate crime victims identified race as the primary factor in the crimes they reported. Ethnicity accounted for another 29 percent of the total. Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation were 18 percent of the total. Given that the best studies indicate that 3 percent of the American population is homosexual, this means that gays and lesbians are victimized at six times the overall rate.

Once considered a Southern phenomenon, most hate crimes today are reported in the North and West. Daunting statistics show that somewhere in America:

* Every hour -- someone commits a hate crime.
* Every day -- at least eight blacks, three whites, three gays, three Jews and one Latino become hate crime victims.
* Every week -- a cross is burned.

These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Law enforcement officials acknowledge that hate crimes - similar to rape and family violence crimes - go under-reported, with many victims reluctant to go to the police. Even if victims where to report these incidents, some police agencies are not fully trained in recognizing or investigating hate crimes. While this information doesn't bode well for society as a whole, there is good news to report.

And the good news is ...
All over the country people are fighting hate, standing up to promote tolerance and inclusion. More often than not, when hate flares up; good people rise up against it - often in greater numbers and with stronger voices. Experience shows that one person, acting from conscience and love, is able to neutralize bigotry. Imagine, then, what an entire community, working together, might do.




*Documented hate group in red
*People standing strong against hate
(shaded by density)

© Copyright 2008 Southern Poverty Law Center

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