Current Controversies - Hate Crimes (hardcover edition)

From School Library Journal Grade 9 Up-This revised edition is as timely and relevant as its predecessor by Paul Winters (Greenhaven, 1996). The text is organized by four broad chapters: "Are Hate Crimes a Serious Problem?"; "Should Hate Speech Be Restricted?"; "Are Federal Hate Crime Laws Necessary?"; and "Which Groups Pose a Threat to Society?" Each chapter begins with an overview and then both sides of the question are addressed by various writers and/or experts in the field, such as President Clinton; First Amendment advocate Nat Hentoff; Howard Berkowitz, national chairman of the Anti-Defamation League; and Cathy Young, vice president of the Women's Freedom Network. Issues addressed include gender, racial, and sexual-orientation based crimes, and campus speech codes and the Internet are also considered. Selected texts come from sources such as The Advocate, a national gay and lesbian newsmagazine; The Los Angeles Times; University of Pennsylvania Law Review; and CQ Researcher. The result is a balanced, reasonable text that presents all sides fairly and helps researchers realize the nuances of a complex issue. A list of organizations with contact information and a detailed index are appended. For libraries that serve students who routinely need information for speeches, debates, and social studies classes, this volume delivers.