Unquestionably, these crimes, and others like them, are an abomination upon our society. But hate crime legislation is the wrong antidote for the problem of increased violence directed against targeted groups of Americans. While I can understand the need for persecuted groups to feel protected under the law, I do not agree that they should seek special protection for just themselves. Rather, if increased protection is warranted for one persecuted group, then increased protection is deserved by all people groups. If the same crime is variously punished based upon who was victimized, that suggests that the moral transgression is relative.
Punishment is determined by the traits of the victim.
Crime is no longer an absolute infringement of human rights. I don't think that's true. If it is wrong to carry out a violent act against another human being, it matters little the motivation behind the attack or the personal traits of the victim. Instead, we should recognize that our immeasurable worth comes solely from being made in the image of God, and not from the unique traits which differentiate us. Neighbor A kills Neighbor C 2.