Having a hard time rationalising "hate crime"

I admit it. I’ve never understood why saying nasty, ugly things to people should be considered a crime, even if you call it a “hate crime” because the nasty, ugly things said are directed towards someone from a targeted group. If you threaten someone with bodily harm in such a way that the person actually fears for his or her safety, then that’s the crime of assault, whether it’s called a hate crime or not.

If you call me a “kike”, surely that should not be considered a crime, even if it is in poor taste, and even if I find it offensive.

So what did this guy, who is now charged with committing a felony, actually do?

According to the police report:

“the female victim was exiting the [Walgreens] store and returning to her vehicle. Three of her children, two of [whom] are African-American, had remained in the car while she was in the store. Upon approaching her vehicle, the victim noticed the offender, now known to be Justyn Giarraputo, parked in a vehicle next to hers. The victim saw Giarraputo strike his chest and extend his arm in a Nazi salute, while yelling 'White Power' several times at the victim and her children. The victim was afraid for her safety and that of her children.”

That’s all he said and did. Then “the victim took a photo of the license plate of the vehicle Giarraputo was driving and contacted the police.” The report doesn’t claim that he got out of his car or that he drove after them. He sat in his own car, gave a Nazi salute, and yelled “White Power” at the family in the other car. That’s it.