In the Atlanta-area shootings, police have charged the suspect w/8 counts of murder but are not calling race a factor at this time.
Why, when 6 victims were Asian? When his first target was Young's Asian Massage? (1/x)
Why, when 6 victims were Asian? When his first target was Young's Asian Massage? (1/x)
It’s a question a lot of us who’ve been covering attacks on Asians have been asking: what constitutes a hate crime? We’re told there has to be an underlying crime -- like murder or physical assault -- coupled with intent motivated by hate.
To prove intent, prosecutors want a hate-filled screed on social media...racial slurs yelled during an attack, better yet, audio of it. Without that, law enforcement say it’s hard to prove racial animus in an attack. Harder than, say, a self-reported “sexual addiction.”
I said to a hate crimes coordinator, you don’t always need to hear a slur to recognize racism. He didn’t disagree. But “in our legal system, the defendant gets the benefit of the doubt & it's up to the gov't to prove each element of the crime."
.@HelenZiaReal recently addressed frustration in AAPI community:”You don't even have to utter a single word to make something a hate crime. But for Asian Ams, there’s a higher threshold bc so many ppl don't even think Asian Ams experience racism, discrimination, bigotry or hate.”
.@HelenZiaReal is the journalist who campaigned for justice for Vincent Chin, the Chinese Am man killed in 1982 in Detroit by 2 auto workers who apparently thought he was Japanese. Despite many Asian Ams calling it a hate crime, Chin’s killers got probation & $3k+ fines
“It's because of you little motherf***ers that we're out of work!” 1 of Chin’s killers yelled. Said Zia: “If you parse any one of those words, you don't find a single racial slur, do you?”
Under pressure, the fed govt pursued civil rights charges, but both men were acquitted.
Under pressure, the fed govt pursued civil rights charges, but both men were acquitted.
I said to a hate crimes coordinator, you don’t always need to hear a slur to recognize racism. He didn’t disagree. But “in our legal system, the defendant gets the benefit of the doubt & it's up to the gov't to prove each element of the crime."
I really botched this thread doing it on my phone so sorry for repeated posts
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