Colorado POST Practice Exam

What is ethnic intimidation?

1. Discrimination based on gender

2. Harassment based on race, color, religion, or national origin

3. Encouraging violence against individuals

4. Physical assault motivated by animosity

The correct answer is: Harassment based on race, color, religion, or national origin

Ethnic intimidation refers to actions or behaviors that are targeted at individuals based on their race, color, religion, or national origin, primarily aimed at instilling fear or oppressing individuals belonging to specific ethnic groups. This definition aligns closely with the notion of harassment where such discriminatory behavior occurs, emphasizing that it is not just about the act of discrimination itself but also the intent to demean or intimidate individuals due to their ethnic background. In contrast, while other options may involve forms of aggression or discrimination, they do not specifically encapsulate the broader concept of ethnic intimidation concerning the targeting based on ethnicity or national identity. Discrimination based on gender, encouraging violence against individuals, or even physical assault—although serious issues—do not expressly pertain to the delineation of ethnic intimidation as defined in legal contexts. Thus, the choice that accurately reflects the meaning of ethnic intimidation is one that highlights harassment rooted in the aspects of race, color, religion, or national origin.