From killings and beatings to acts of arson and vandalism, these hate crimes injure or even kill thousands of people, terrify countless others, divide Americans against each other, and distort our entire society" (McGill Lawson 17). Hate crimes in the United States occur more than people know. Psychological and scientific research is beginning to produce good perspectives on the reason behind hate crimes. People are committing hate crimes because of differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. Many people perceive hate crime perpetrators as hate-filled, crazed neo-Nazis, or skinheads. However, most hate crimes are carried out by young law-abiding citizens who feel their crimes are justified. Extreme
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