Hate crimes are in existence all across the United States. According to the text, there hate crimes associated with race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability (Banks, p.78-79). The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) lists active U.S. hate groups based on location. In Virginia alone, there are 30 different hate groups. Some of the types included are Anti-Immigrant, White Nationalist, Racist Skinhead, Anti-Muslim, Neo-Nazi, Ku Klux Klan, Anti-Gay, and Black Separtist. The site even goes into detail and not only describes the type of hate group, but tells which city the group is located in. This site is not only valuable because it introuduces you to various hate groups, but it also aids in safety precaution.
Being aware of hate crimes is important, but it is more important to understand the cause of hate crimes. In my opinion one isn't born hating a certain group, but the hatred is learned. In most cases it is learned in the homes as a child. If Joe Blow's parents were discriminative to a certain group and always talked negatively about that group, Joe is more likely to develop heatred for the group as well. Even if he had never come in contact with people of that particular group, hearing and being educated about the negative aspects of the group could motivate him to be against them like his family.
Although a person may have a strong feeling against a group, there are times when he/she must not show it. For example, if the individual is in the military he cannot show that he dislikes a certain group. Even if he/she is a member of a particular hate group, hatred must not be revealed in the workplace. Likewise, criminal justice officials must not express any evidence of motivation while on duty or even in the uniform. Negative comments, hurtful words, abusive language, confirmation by police investigation, and hate symbols are all examples of evidence of motivation as expressed in the text.
While the person must not speak up about his/her bias against a particular group in public, do you believe it is ethical to wear paraphernalia while in uniform? Some may believe that it should be allowed since Christians are allowed to wear necklaces with crosses on them while in uniform. I disagree. It is called a uniform because everyone should be standardized. I do not believe religion should be discussed in the work place and I am not a huge supported on wearing crosses while at work. I understand that we all have freedom of speech, but the workplace is not the place for it. I also do not think it is appropriate to wear paraphernalia that symbolizes hatred of a particular group. It could make someone feel very uncomfortable and cause mass confusion in the workplace. Although hate groups are represented in all states across the U.S. there really is no place for them, especially not in the workplace or criminal justice system.
References
Banks, C. (2013). Criminal Justice Ethis: Theory and Practice (3d ed.). Thousan Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Southern Poverty Law Center (2013). Fighting Hate Teaching Tolerance Seeking Justice. Retrieved June 18, 2013, from http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-map.
