Dallas activist Jesse Garcia traveled to Austin last week to testify about the need for a study of the state’s hate crimes statute. In response to Garcia’s testimony, Republican State Rep. Debbie Riddle of Tomball suggested that the hate crimes statute itself is unnecessary. Tomball questioned whether a criminal charge should be enhanced if the victim has red hair, as opposed to blond hair. Her argument, of course, makes little sense given that people with red hair aren’t an oppressed minority that historically has been the target of hate crimes. Read more about Riddle’s comments in the Capitol Annex by going here. The post also contains a link to video from the hearing.
Would that be natural hair color or hair color from a bottle? ‘Cause I’d be shocked if a Republican said that sexual orientation is innate and not a choice.