Is it Bullying or a Hate Crime? Utilizing Critical Discourse Analysis to Assess Political Framings of Prejudicial Violence Among Youth

Bullying has long been the primary frame for understanding and addressing youth prejudicial violence. Recently, however, there has been an increased political focus on youth hate crimes to frame similar behavior. Analyzing this shift in framing is crucial as the different frames shape how we understand the underlying problem and what responses, policy or otherwise, are necessary to address it. “Hate crime” primarily relies on a criminal framework for understanding prejudicial violence. Thus, the increased focus on youth “hate crimes” may have disastrous consequences for LGBTQ+ youth who experience both the harms of prejudicial violence and over-policing. This study has two objectives. First, utilizing critical discourse analysis, I will assess recent scholarship and federal and state policies related to “hate,” “identity-based bullying,” and “hate crimes” among youth. I will critically analyze the definitions, causal frameworks, and solutions offered in the texts. Second, in partnership with the GSA Network, I will interview 30 LGBTQ+ youth on their perceptions of these different policy framings, attitudes toward the criminal legal system, and understanding of accountability. Ultimately, the findings will be used to advance scholarly conceptualizations of “hate” among youth and will be used to inform current policy approaches addressing youth prejudicial violence.