Relational Legal Consciousness in the Context of Hate Crime Laws

Abstract

This article draws on a qualitative study that examines how Asian-descendant victims of hate activities in Canada perceive, interpret, and engage with hate crime laws and the legal system. My findings show that participants’ understanding of these laws is deeply relational, shaped by their encounters with perpetrators, the legal system, and the nation-state. While participants acknowledge the symbolic promise of protection and justice that hate crime laws offer, they also perceive these laws as potential sources of burdens and harm. This ambivalence stems from personal experiences and broader social and institutional contexts that influence how marginalized individuals perceive legal protections and justice. By examining these dynamics, this study advances law and society scholarship by offering a nuanced understanding of how marginalized communities navigate and interpret legal protections, emphasizing the need to critically assess legal processes through the lived experiences of underrepresented individuals.