7,341 Incidents and Counting: Analyzing the Evolution of American Hate Crime Legislation and How it Varies by State

Abstract

This article will explore what hate crimes are, and explore why they have been on the rise in recent years. I will track the evolution of hate crime legislation on both a federal and state level and argue that while rises in hate are consistent throughout time, they are also episodic. I will justify the need for hate crime legislation and demonstrate how state hate crime laws vastly differ, using a case study as support. I will make policy suggestions to improve existing legislation and advocate for an increase in federal funding allocated to hate crime training for law enforcement agencies. Lastly, I will suggest that training should also be required in schools and workplaces in order to diminish ignorance and intolerance, and to encourage communities to embrace and celebrate diversity rather than fear it