Hate crimes, defined by Merriam-webster.com as cimes “motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation),” seem to be on the rise this year.  In only the first three months of the year, hate crimes have made headlines and affected many different people, even taking the lives of innocent victims.  

On Feb. 22, a hate-driven act of violence occurred close to home in Olathe at Austin’s Bar and Grill.  Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old white man, is being charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.  Purinton was thrown out of the bar after directing racial slurs towards two Indian immigrants, Alok Madasani and Srinivas Kuchibhotla.  He was kicked out, but returned with his gun.  Kuchibhotla was killed and Madasani was wounded, along with a man who tried to stop Purinton.

Yelling “get out of my country” to two Indian immigrants shouts hate crime in every single aspect, but investigations are still underway.  If Purinton is found guilty of a hate crime, his acts of violence will be taken to a federal level.  

Some speculate if this shooting, and an increase in racial tensions, could be linked to president Donald Trump and his outspoken immigration views.  However, the Trump administration denies these ties wholly.   

The FBI is currently investigating this shooting as a hate crime, but no definitive answer has been produced.  To me, the answer is clear, and the answer for how to react to these types of crimes is even clearer.

In Kansas, those who have committed a hate crime can be given a stricter penalty, but there is nothing set in stone.  If the judge or jury doesn’t decide to stricten a punishment for a hate crime, then it doesn’t have to be.     

A bill was introduced to change this in 2015.  Bill SB 1, which would increase penalties for hate crimes, died in committee in June of 2016.  

Crimes in any way, shape or form are horrible and need to be punished, but when their motives are based on race, gender, sexual orientation or other discriminating biases, they deserve extra punishment.  To show our society, with its alarming rate of hate crimes, that these acts are absolutely unacceptable, changes to the way hate crimes are dealt with, in Kansas specifically, need to be made.  There is no reason why bills like SB 1 shouldn’t be passed.