Hate Crime Legislation

Today, we celebrate progress in civil rights. We have come a long way and still have further to go, in terms of making sure all Americans have equal rights. This year, the legislature again will address hate crime legislation. These are my favorite debates, because they go to the core concerns of America -- liberty and equality.

I, though, think hate crime legislation is a step backward. Crime is crime. By differentially focusing on crimes against certain groups, we perpetuate our divisions instead of our commonalities. We have caused the Nation great harm by applying uniform laws differentially based on race and other such characteristics. Hate crime legislation merely perpetuates that divisiveness and harm, no matter how pure and lofty its promoters' intentions might be -- and I don't doubt for a minute that they are pure and lofty.

However this legislation fares, it is wonderful to debate issues of equality and race openly and peacefully.