Also, this allows the existence of the phenomenon often
referred to as “ethno corruption,” that is using diversity
measures by the majority.
All of these lead to the further marginalization of
disadvantaged minority communities.
In sum, not combatting the inherent ambiguity and political
sensitivity involved in defining minority groups and
membership criteria, both impedes prospects for minority
protection (in the case of victims of hate crimes and
discrimination) and risks reaching target group for diversity
policies.
The second issue I would like to raise, concerns a special
form of OVERPOLICING minorities in prosecuting HATE
CRIMES.
The issue concerns the, at first glance theoretical, but also very
practical question of what are hate crimes? Identity-, or
minority protection mechanisms?
In other words, can and should any group be protected as a
hate crime victim, or only members of discrete and insular,
underprivileged, vulnerable communities who lack sufficient
numbers or power to seek redress through the political process
or may face discrimination because of their inherent
(unchangeable, fundamental, immutable) characteristics?
The past years in legislation by international and national
organizations brought a proliferation of protected grounds,
and has been extended to basically any socially recognized
identity, and often even open ended lists are used, making
reference to “any other status.”