Hate Crime Statistics Comparison 2000-2015 – Racial Bias

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Year Total Anti-Black Anti-White Anti-Asian/Pacific Islander Anti-Native American Anti-Arab**
2015 2,754 1,745 613 115 131 37
2014 2,568 1,621 593 143 130
2013 2,871 1,856 653 138 129
2012 3,101 2,050 684 143 101
2011 2,917 2,076 504 138 61
2010 3,135 2,201 575 150 44
2009 3,119 2,284 545 126 65
2008 3,992 2,876 716 137 54
2007 3,870 2,658 749 188 61
2006 4,000 2,640 890 181 60
2005 3,919 2,630 828 199 79
2004 4,402 2,731 829 217 83
2003 3,844 2,548 830 231 76
2002 3,642 2,486 719 217 62
2001 4,367 2,899 891 280 80
2000 4,337 3,884 875 281 57

 

This table shows the breakdown of racial bias hate crimes from 2000 to 2015 in the United States. The specific categories of racial bias are Anti-Black, Anti-White, Anti-Asian/Pacific Islander, Anti-Native American, and Anti-Arab.

Key insights include:

  1. Total Racial Bias: There is a general decreasing trend in the total number of reported hate crimes due to racial bias from 2000 to 2015, despite a few fluctuations. This could suggest a decrease in racial hate crimes over this period or improvements in societal attitudes towards racial diversity. However, these figures should be taken with caution as it may also reflect changes in reporting mechanisms or definitions.
  2. Anti-Black Hate Crimes: Anti-Black hate crimes make up the largest proportion of racially motivated hate crimes every year. The number is highest in 2000 and shows a general decreasing trend towards 2015, but there are several years with increased incidents such as 2008 and 2010.
  3. Anti-White Hate Crimes: Hate crimes against white people reached their peak in 2006 (890 incidents) and show a declining trend afterwards. Despite this, they still form a significant proportion of racial hate crimes.
  4. Anti-Asian/Pacific Islander Hate Crimes: The number of incidents in this category remains relatively stable compared to others, with a slight increase observable in the early 2000s and a decrease in later years.
  5. Anti-Native American Hate Crimes: Incidents in this category are relatively low and stable over time, with a minor increase in 2015.
  6. Anti-Arab Hate Crimes: Data for this category is only available for 2015, showing 37 incidents. The absence of data in other years may be due to the fact that Anti-Arab hate crimes might not have been separately tracked prior to 2015, possibly being categorized under ethnicity/national origin or religious bias.

Remember that these are reported hate crimes, so actual numbers could be higher due to underreporting. Factors such as changes in societal attitudes, law enforcement practices, public awareness, and societal events can significantly impact these numbers.

WHAT IS HATE CRIME?

A hate crime is a criminal act that is committed against a person or property, which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias, prejudice, or hatred towards the victim’s perceived or actual race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

This bias or prejudice differentiates hate crimes from other crimes. Hate crimes can take many forms, including, but not limited to, physical assault, harassment, murder, arson, vandalism, or threats, as long as the act is fueled by bias against a protected characteristic.

It’s important to note that what constitutes a hate crime can vary by jurisdiction, as different regions have different laws and definitions. For example, in some areas, political beliefs or homelessness might also be protected under hate crime statutes.

Hate crime laws aim to deter and punish acts of bias-motivated violence and prejudice, and to affirm societal commitment to equality and protection of all individuals. Reporting and tracking hate crimes also help policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and communities to understand and address these issues.

Source: Hate Crime Statistics Comparison 2000-2015 – Racial Bias