LONDON – If you punch a punk in Manchester, it could be a hate crime.
Police in the English city announced Wednesday that they will begin recording offenses against members of alternative subcultures in the same way they do attacks based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
The Greater Manchester force – the first in Britain to take the step – says “Goths, emos, punks and metallers” and members of other alternative groups often endured abuse.
Members of these groups – often teenagers – are easily identifiable by their distinctive clothing, hairstyles and accessories, from Goths‘ pale makeup and black garb to punks‘ spiky hair and piercings.
“People who wish to express their alternative sub-culture identity freely should not have to tolerate hate crime,” Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said.
I – Word Understanding
Hate crime – a crime done against a person because of his subcultural looks, characteristics etc.
Sub-culture – a group that has beliefs and behaviors that are different from the main groups within a culture or society
goth – dark, depressed people wearing almost everything in black and a bit of white, no other colors
emo – dark music, dark clothing and dark view of the world. Cross between goth and punk
punk – characterised by piercings, tattoos, Dr Marten boots and multi-coloured Mohawks
metallers – like heavy metal music (loud music), wears band t-shirts, leather jacket and jeans
II – Have your say
1.Some known subcultures in Japan are: cosplay, otaku, decora and visual kei.
2.Hate crimes and hate incidents are major issues for all police because of their unique impact on victims as well as the community.
033 Attacking ‘goths, emos, punks and metallers’ now a hate crime in Manchester
