Muslim Bullying Equates To A Hate Crime?

If there are hate crimes on the books then this too was a hate crime.If you're against the notion of there being hate crimes at all ,then that's a legitimate position .But knowing hate crimes are now on the books please don't turn this into another "We're so politically correct when it comes to Muslims and no one else" Islamophobic opportunity to express more animosity towards Muslims.I myself don't like seeing children charged with "crimes'"whether for bullying or speaking bigoted things. Discipline on the part of the teachers is appropriate but arresting a child is ludicrous.What kind of society are we becoming when children get arressted in school instead of being educated by adults to what is decent and indecent behaviour? Bringing in the police to arrest children sends the message that adult teachers are just there to do a "job" and really don't care about the well being and whole education of children. Acts of extreme violence, of course are a different story.
I agree with you that there is something viserely offensive about the notion that if you harm someone who is part of a "protected' group it is worse then if you harm someone who isn't. On its face iI's patently offensive and divisive.However without "hate crimes" as a category, harm against people because they are part of a vilified goup can take place without serious consequences to the perpetrators.Simply calling someone a name or spitting at someone or slapping someone, is not so serious an offense or is not at all an offense so therefore targeted groups could suffer alot without there being hate crimes on the books. Hate crime laws are therefore an added safeguard that cautions people who might choose to target someone that there are serious consequences.Without severe consequences they they might be more willing to take a chance.In an atmosphere of cultural animosity against certain groups, crimes against particular groups could increase and our society of diverse cultures could potentially become a society of "tribal' loyalties or worse.It is a double edged sword ,though because hate crime laws can also increase animosity on the part of people who are not part of any "protected" group knowing they are vulnerable to crimes too yet without the same perceived degree of consequences.Of course anyone can become a part of a "protected group" at a moments notice and as the classifications keep widening .