I disagree with "hate" crimes legislation as it assumes an intent that may or may not be present. Further, it creates classes of victims and makes crimes by one group against another more serious than the reverse.

Just because the victim is a different race than the perpetrator, the prosecutor doesn't get the benefit of a legal presumption that the crime was motivated by racial hate. The prosecutor still has to prove the additional mens rea, that, beyond a reasonable doubt, the crime was motivated by racial hatred.

You all seem to be under the impression that racial motivation is just assumed because of the difference in races of victim and criminal. Specific intent has to be proven by the prosecutor to be successful on a hate crime charge.