We’re Nearly All Victims Now!: How the politics of victimhood is undermining our liberal culture

Oct 26, 2019 by Jill

by David G Green, Civitas:

Identity politics has been creeping into public discourse for many years. When the first edition of this book was published in 2006, it was already obvious that the politics of victimhood had taken hold. This second, updated edition takes stock of how it has developed since then, particularly in the preoccupation with ‘hate crime’ in recent years.

Hate crimes were initially created under the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act, which provided that crimes such as assault and criminal damage were more serious if carried out with racial motivation. Since then the definition has been extended to cover not just race but disability, transgender status, religion and sexual orientation.

Many other groups are now seeking the same protection. The College of Policing has identified 21 additional victim groups and the Law Commission has been asked by the Government to consider extending the current laws.

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