Citation

McPhail BA. Soc. Serv. Rev. 2000; 74(4): 635-653.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Hate crimes are receiving increased attention in both the media and policy arenas. Legislation to document and punish hate crimes has been enacted at the federal, state, and local levels. A thorough analysis of these social regulatory policies is essential. Hate crime policy has engendered controversies and unintended consequences. Two sides of the debate have emerged, with one side arguing that hate crimes are a socially constructed category leading to the “Balkanization” of America and the other responding that hate crime policy is necessary to promote racial and religious harmony and equality. Criminalizing hate is a complex issue that social workers must become knowledgeable about in order to be active participants in shaping policy and conducting research.