What started out as an investigation into a potential “hate crime” in Tennessee turned out to be a “hate crime” of a ‘different color.’ One with which we are so painfully familiar. The Hoax variety.
Related: NHPR Piece Leads With “Hate Crimes on the Rise” But ‘Hate Crimes’ Fell in New Hampshire
A woman has been charged with vandalism under $1,000 after authorities say she used a rock to carve “white pride” into the sidewalk at a Johnson City business.
According to the release, 41-year-old Mahagany Teague vandalized the DC Fitness on Bobby Hicks Highway in Johnson City. Authorities say she was arrested on Tuesday and has been booked into the Washington County Detention Center. She’s being held on a $1,000 bond.
If people are serious about punishing folks based on what they decide someone was thinking when they did something that was illegal (not always a great idea, by the way), we need to punish the hoaxes just a severely as the real thing.
Why?
In the case of “hate crimes,” the hoaxer is no less guilty of that same crime than were it someone else. They are trying to create fear and intimidation. And that matters because much like the fake rape accusation it becomes increasingly difficult for anyone to take credible rape claims seriously. The hoaxers are enabling sexual assault and causing harm to women who were actually attacked.
The same applies to people who would threaten or harm others based on race religion, etc.). If the threat is a crime. And acting on it is a crime. Faking hate graffiti, nooses, swastikas, and attributing them to innocent people is not justice. It’s a crime. A crime because it makes unnecessarily redirects public resources and it becomes increasingly harder to separate fake from real threats and intimidation.
You are doing more harm than good.
Stop.
“White pride” was carved on the ground outside a black-owned gym in Johnson City, Tenn. The local community rallied in support of the business. Following a police investigation, Mahagany Teague, 42, was arrested and charged with vandalism. https://t.co/akvmEpdmZA #HateHoax pic.twitter.com/uHZIfVg1N0
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) March 9, 2020
