In the face of hate, silence is deadly. Apathy will be interpreted as acceptance — by the perpetrators, the public, and — worse — the victims. If left unchallenged, hate persists and grows.
A hate crime often creates an opportunity for a community’s first dialogue on race, gender identity, or religious intolerance. It can help bridge the gap between neighborhoods and law enforcement. More people than we imagine want to do something; they just need a little push.
Very good points, often silence stems from a place whereby everyone is just acting like everyone else. Nobody wants to be the one to act out of turn. However when somebody does, usually plenty more follow, perhaps because of our innate sense of good.
Cg