As the demographic patterns of our communities shift and our neighborhoods become more diverse, interactions with people different from ourselves are becoming increasingly common. And as we read the daily newspapers, watch the evening news or even listen to the current rock and rap songs, we don't have to claim membership in a minority group to be able to track the increasing episodes of violence motivated by group prejudice, otherwise known as hate crimes. Hate crimes have a long history in the United States. German and Irish immigrants were systematically terrorized, for example, during the middle of the nineteenth century by those who condemned them for taking away jobs. Similar harassment was experienced by immigrants during the 1920's and by minorities in general during the recession of the late 1970's.
Today there is a hate group for every malcontent.
Blame affirmative action. Jews must be responsible. Condemn those welfare mothers. It must be all their fault. Gangs represent another serious community problem, no longer in the exclusive purview of the inner-city.