Ginger kids and hate crimes

Last week in Southern California there was an incident at a middle school involving "ginger" kids. These students were targeted for their red hair and freckles; and were kicked, hit and beaten up. It was called "Kick a Ginger Day" on Facebook. Authorities have stated that this would not be classified as a hate crime.

I don't understand how people can say that this is not a hate crime when the kids were targeted solely on the color of their skin and hair. If this was called "Kick a Latino Day" or "Kick a Black Day" it would instantly be classified as a hate crime. Why is this not the case when the color being targeted is white with freckles?

Honestly, I think hate crime laws have gotten so nit picky that anytime race is involved in a prank, fight, scuffle, or any type of crime, it is instantly classified as a hate crime. I don't think that this is right. I think that having these types of laws actually perpetuates ideas of racial injustice in society, because many of them have gone to far. The law can charge a white man with a hate crime for getting into a fight with a black man, even if the black man is the aggressor, and even if the fight is not racially motivated by any means. This inequality in the administration of justice promotes racial tensions.

Now don't get me wrong, there are some hate crime laws that do serve an actual purpose. The laws that protect victims of organizations such as the KKK, and the laws that protect against crimes that were committed blatantly due to the race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual preference of the victim are necessary. But BLATANTLY is the key word. I think that for someone to be charged with a hate crime, there must be proof that the crime was committed due to prejudice, and not motivated by anything else. We need to stop making laws that treat people differently based on differences that the perpetrator may or may not have with the victim. Doing so will lead us one step closer to true equality.

Now back to the ginger kids...I honestly don't think this should be classified as a hate crime. This was a stupid middle school prank that went to far. Nobody was seriously hurt, and I don't think that any of the kids involved should be subjected to criminal charges that will destroy their chances of having any type of future-all because of one stupid decision in junior high. Hopefully, these kids will be punished by their parents and by the school system, and they will learn that kicking people is not appropriate.

Lower the Drinking Age

I think that the legal drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18. Honestly, if an 18 year old person is old enough to fight and die for their country, they should be old enough to have a beer.

I am sure that some people will say that young adults (18-20) are immature and very likely to make poor decisions, such as driving while intoxicated. Well then why should they be expected to make a good decision when it comes to military service? Why should an 18 year old be allowed to sign a 6 year (minimum) service contract if he/she is incapable of making sound decisions?

Deciding whether to serve in the militar is a hefty decision, but it is also one that not many 18-20 year olds think about. Howeer, there are numerous other examples of huge life altering decisions that almost everyone in this age group faces. For example, once a person reaches 18 years of age, they are eligible for credit cards. Many young adults get credit cards at this early age and completely destroy their credit ratings, something they have to live with for the rest of their lives! But they can't decide to have a beer with dinner? I think this is ridiculous.

If 18-20 year olds are not mature enough to decide whether they want to have a beer or not, they should not be mature enough to join the military, ro receive credit cards, or to even be allowed to live on their own. I think most of the people in this age group are mature enough to make these decisions (or at least should be given the opportunity to; if not they will never learn to make appropriate decisions on their own); thus I think the legal drinking age needs to be lowered.

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