The fundamental disconnect in reverse racism (at least for me) is this: there is no word you can use about my race (white) that can hurt me or piss me off. Calling me cracker or honky wouldn't upset me. There is no equivalent of the "n" word for me- no word steeped in centuries of blood and oppression. I understand the offense that word causes because of its terrible history. I can't be offended that way- not least because I don't think about my race, don't consider it an important identifier, and don't care- all of which are also feelings it is difficult for minorities to feel. The playing ground of racist words is inherently uneven.
That said, hate crimes are hate crimes, regardless of whether or not the victim's feelings are hurt. There is plenty of racial anger in the black community- I don't think anyone disputes that. If this was a hate crime- and it may have been- it should be treated as such, although the insinuation that whites are victimized by the justice system is just bizarre.
That said, hate crimes are hate crimes, regardless of whether or not the victim's feelings are hurt. There is plenty of racial anger in the black community- I don't think anyone disputes that. If this was a hate crime- and it may have been- it should be treated as such, although the insinuation that whites are victimized by the justice system is just bizarre.
