Hate Crimes, Race and the Media

Last Halloween night, the Long Beach Police say three white women were attacked coming out of a haunted house in the upscale neighborhood of Bixby Knolls. One victim suffered broken facial bones and the partial loss of sight in one eye. Ten black juveniles—nine of them girls-- are on trial. Police say they yelled racial epithets during the assault, including "we hate whites" and "white bitches." Because of that, the District Attorney has accused eight of the defendants of hate crimes. That could mean a "first strike" on their adult criminal records. It's a potentially sensational story, including claims of intimidation against witnesses. But there are questions about whether it's getting the attention it really deserves.

Guests:

• Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Nationally syndicated columnist, radio host, civil rights activist and author, @earlhutchinson
• Kate Coe: Freelance writer and television producer
• John Futch: Managing Editor at the Long Beach Press Telegram
• Janet Clayton: Managing Editor of State and Local News for the Los Angeles Times

Links:

• Kate Coe's LA Weekly article, "Long Beach Hate Crime"
• Press Telegram article on defense attorneys' request to dismiss hate-charge
• Joe Mozingo's (LA Times) article on new charges in beating case