I agree with a lot of what you said, but I have to disagree with the fact that if you have a black friend and kicked his ass, it would become classified as a hate crime. Blacks and whites (friends) fight everyday for issues/matters on a personal basis. Most times when "It was a hate crime" is thrown out there is when there are multiple whites/blacks beating the shit out of one or a complete uneven number of either, against the other. Usually in this case, there has been history of racial bickering or taunting. Very seldom is there just a beating that causes Jesse/Al and their henchman to come out unless there has been known tension in the matter.....hence Jena 6, where it's been going on for a while and it finally came to a head. Anywho, a "hate crime" to me, can be committed by any race.