We can and must pass a hate crime bill in South Carolina. But it must include racial impact studies. It must have oversight mechanisms to monitor enforcement. It must require data collection on prosecutions. And it must be reviewed regularly to ensure it’s being applied fairly across all communities.
Justice without accountability is not justice. It’s theater. And our communities deserve more than a performance.
We owe it to every victim of hate. We owe it to every family who’s felt the sting of injustice. And we owe it to Senator Pinckney, who believed in building a South Carolina that lived up to its promises, not just in words, but in action.
Let’s pass the right bill. Let’s pass it the right way. And let’s do it in the name of true justice, not just political expedience.
Representative John R. King can be reached at 803- 372-9643.
