facebook-pixel

Letter: Why do we need hate crime laws?

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2019, file photo, the floor of the Utah House of Representatives is shown during the first day of the Utah legislative session, in Salt Lake City. Utah lawmakers were set Thursday, March 14, 2019, to end their annual legislative session after scaling back a voter-approved Medicaid expansion, passing a long-awaited update to the state's hate crimes law and reaching a deal to increase the alcohol level in beer. Measures on other hot-button issues failed to pass, like a ban on LGBT conversion therapy. Lawmakers also passed two anti-abortion measures. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

I’ve had black friends, Asian friends, Jewish friends, Muslim friends, straight friends and gay friends. Will someone, other than a politician, explain why we need hate crime legislation?

What’s the difference between painting a swastika on a Christian’s house and painting a swastika on a Jew’s house? They’re both criminal mischief. Yet for which would I be punished the most? Is one worse than the other? No.

What’s the difference between assaulting a black man and assaulting a white man?

They’re both assaults. Yet for which would I be punished the most? Is one worse than the other? No.

What’s the difference between assaulting a Muslim with a weapon and assaulting a Christian with a weapon? They’re both assaults with deadly weapons. Yet for which would I be punished the most? Is one worse than the other? No.

What’s the difference between killing a gay man and killing a straight man? They’re both murder. Yet for which would I be punished the most? Is one worse than the other? No.

It seems as though lawmakers are trying to implement India’s caste system in America. Except for the 1 percenters, are we not all equal?

I think hate crime legislation is just politicians’ way of looking for minority votes.

Paul Hart, Sandy

Submit a letter to the editor