Hate crimes are acts of violence perpetrated against people, property or organizations because they belong to or identify with a particular group, race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or ability.  Most hate crimes are a function of personal prejudice, or the perception of a ‘threat’ from someone who may be different or appear different.  Low levels of hate crimes are an indicator of tolerance, understanding and respect for differences.  Strong social and civic networks that bridge communities and neighborhoods can increase knowledge, understanding and trust, and reduce divisiveness.

How are we doing?

From 1993 to 2003, the total number of reported hate crimes and incidents has fluctuated between 220 and 340.  In 2004, the number of hate crimes reported dropped to 180, which was by far the fewest since 1995.  Throughout the 12-year period, the most common victims of hate crimes and incidents were African Americans, with whites, Hispanics, and gays and lesbians the second-most-common victims in different years.

Since 9/11, hate crimes against people of Middle Eastern descent spiked from a total of 4, reported from 1993 – 2000, to 56 in 2001 alone.  There were fewer than half that number reported in each of the years from 2002 to 2004, but still many more than before 9/11.  The increase in violence directed at people of Middle Eastern descent has raised concerns about the need to offer additional protection to Arab-Americans and anyone of Middle Eastern descent in the aftermath of future acts of terrorism, international incidents, or the war in Iraq.  The number of hate crimes and incidents directed against Jewish people also began to rise with 20 incidents reported in 2001 compared to 5 or 6 in previous years.