Hate crimes are rooted in (Systemic) Systems of Oppression that have been upheld by historical/long-serving societal structures.  Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by bias or prejudice against a person or group based on characteristics such as race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Historically, these crimes have been used as tools of social control, intimidation, and oppression. In the United States, hate crimes were often associated with racial terror during the post-Reconstruction era, particularly through lynchings and violence aimed at Black Americans to reinforce segregation and white supremacy. Similarly, in Nazi Germany, state-sponsored hate crimes targeted Jews, Roma, and other minority groups as part of a genocidal regime.

In the modern era, hate crimes remain a serious issue globally. While civil rights advances have provided legal protections, incidents of hate-fueled violence persist. Modern hate crimes can range from vandalism of religious sites to violent attacks on individuals, such as the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting targeting LGBTQ+ individuals or anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The internet has also created new avenues for hate crimes, including cyber harassment and the efficient spread of extremist propaganda on new platforms.

Governments and international bodies have responded by enacting hate crime legislation, aiming to impose stricter penalties when bias is proven to be a motivating factor. However, enforcement and definitions vary widely by country. Tracking and reporting remain challenges, often due to underreporting or lack of legal frameworks.

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