Book Review for In the Name of Hate: Understanding Hate Crimes
In the Name of Hate: Understanding Hate Crimes by Barbara Perry, an Illustrated edition
published in London in 2001 by Psychology Press is a compelling piece work as it delves into
the intricate dynamics within which hate crime, targeting stigmatized communities, incentivizes
its offenders and victims in their respective communities.
Despite not especially being addressed neither in sociology nor criminology, hate crime –
which founds its roots in discrimination toward labelled and marginalized minorities and is
simultaneously intertwined to firmly established gender and racial hierarchies – far reaches
violence against specific groups; instead, it is settled in society and possible given the oppressive
mechanisms targeting neglected communities. “The most prevalent bias motivation is race, with
African Americans the most vulnerable targets. Next in line are Jews and gay men. Moreover,
victims are most likely to experience personal rather than property victimization. The exception
to this appears to be violence” (Perry, 29).
Perry sheds a light on persistently undermined issues, although prevalent in marginalized
communities, by offering a thorough analysis of crime data including significant instances. Her
persuasive rhetoric persists and prevails within the array of themes addressed in this oeuvre –
commencing with definitions and measurement of hate crimes and theoretical explanations of
this recurrent occurrences as well as its mechanisms of oppression, and evolving until providing
a more detailed and specific vision of hate crimes addressing the issue at an inter-minority scale
– emphasizing Perry’s purpose and achievement in increasing awareness of hate crimes
facilitating the prevention of this social phenomenon. However, the book’s release date raises
questions about its chronological relevance, perhaps restricting its coverage of current events.
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