In America, all youths should be able to live without fear and the threat of race-based violence. Sadly, reports of explicit racism and violence directed at Latinos are on the rise.

Just a few weeks ago, our nation lamented the violent assault on a homeless Boston man who was beaten as his assailants hurled racial epithets.

Most recently, a 14-year-old in Indianapolis was viciously attacked and shot in the back on his way home from the grocery store.

Brian Zaragoza was not at the “wrong place at the wrong time.” He was a victim of a targeted hate crime. As a result of the traumatic assault, Brian will live with a bullet lodged in his back for the rest of his life. His attack should provoke widespread outrage and a public rebuke of racially motivated crimes.

Like African-Americans and other people of color, Latinos in the United States are increasingly falling victim to hate crimes. These crimes are fueled in part by harmful, racist rhetoric. Such rhetoric is not without consequences.

Hateful rhetoric — whether spewed by conservative politicians like Donald Trump or by assailants — is fueled by institutional racism. That children and adults alike are increasingly targeted based on their race and/or perceived immigration status is reprehensible. But we have the power to effect change. We can only do this by refusing to stand in silence. It’s time to more strongly condemn not just hate crimes, but also the racist rhetoric that fuels them.

FLAVIA JIMENEZ

Washington

Ms. Jimenez is senior attorney and project director of immigrant justice with the Advancement Project, a multiracial civil rights organization based in Washington.