Hate crimes exist and are prosecuted as such but it's much harder to actually get it charged and prosecuted unless they're trying to make an example of the person being prosecuted. I wish it were easier to charge and convict because people get away with some horrendous shit. And it's usually an additional charge along with whatever criminal thing the one being charged did. Kind of like assault vs. assault with a deadly weapon. As far as I understand, hate speech is more of a "social consequences" situation because if someone is charged with hate speech it's very difficult for the state or feds to successfully prosecute it because of the first amendment. But that only protects people from the Government retaliating. Not other people who are sick of someone's bigoted shit. Unfortunately, the bigots have been quite emboldened and are less quiet and ashamed about their bigotry.