hate crimes against certain groups on the rise

The FBI's annual report on hate crimes, released last week, shows a slight decrease in the overall number of reported hate crimes in the United States. However, violence against certain groups has increased since the previous year: Hate Crimes against Asian Americans, Hispanics, and GLBT People on the Rise.

According to the report, crimes against Hispanics have increased for the fourth year in a row, and those against gays and lesbians have increased by nearly 6 percent. In addition, hate crimes against Jews, Blacks and Asians/Pacific Islanders have also increased.

It's really no surprise, is it? I feel like I hear news about hate crimes on a weekly basis—and those are just the ones committed against Asians. But I just heard about this one: After Obama Win, Black Muslim Teen Beaten With Bat on Staten Island. WTF.

A hate crime is defined by the FBI as a criminal act that is motivated by race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin, or disability. The crime may be committed against a person, property, or society.

With the historic election of the first black president, it would be nice to think that America has achieved a certain level of tolerance and understanding. But that's a joke. It's obvious we still have a long way to go. More on the FBI's statistics here: Hate Crimes Register Slight Decline Overall.