Columnist misunderstands legislation

Misunderstanding often gets in the way of doing the right thing. Mr.

Hayward (Exponent letter, March 29), Exponent columnist Ian Clift and many others who have written to the Exponent against bias crime legislation have made is clear that good people can miss the point when they only look at the issue from one side. First, a rebuttal to their arguments — all our laws that deal with theft, property damage and violence are based on motive. This is important because motive is what separates manslaughter from murder. Motive is also what distinguishes a hate crime from any random act of violence or destruction. Enhanced penalties based on motive are nothing new to the courts, and bias crime legislation will only further clarify such motives.

Now here's another side of the issue: historically certain (minority) groups of people have found that crimes against them have not been properly investigated, if they're investigated at all. To quote Tracy Chapman, "The police always come late, if they come at all." I don't want to discredit the police; they do good work, but they are only human. It has been documented that blacks, Latinos and gays are still not treated fairly by many police districts, which includes racial profiling and a lack in quality investigation and follow-up.

I know that most people are afraid of bias crime legislation because it might actually protect gays from violence that is being directed toward them. If you recoil because homosexuals want equal rights under the law, but all you hear is "special rights" then there is nothing I can say that will make you see reality. I only hope you are not a police officer, judge or lawyer. I dream of a just world for all people, and I believe Jesus shares my dream.

Corey Linkel

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