Breaking Down Hate Speech
Creating a Community Culture with Unconditional Respect
What is hate speech?
speech that offends, threatens, or insults groups, based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits.
What does hate speech look like?
- Ethnic slurs or other derogatory labels for a group
- Saying "that's gay" to reference something negative
- Comments based on stereotypes
- Remarks used to objectify individuals based on their gender
- Sending messages designed email or a text to someone
- Saying derogatory things about people in a chat room, Facebook, Twitter, or any form of social media about these groups
Who's likely to fall victim to hate speech? Who's likely to dish it out?
Anyone can be a target for hate speech.
Some, because they are of a particular race, nationality, or religion. Others, because they are disabled in some way, or because of their gender, age, or sexual orientation.
Whether it be intentional or unintentional, anyone can spew hate speech.
Some, because they are ignorant or have been taught to discriminate & dislike people who are not exactly like them. Others, because they think it is cool and intimidating to use language like this or because their own insecurities cause them to belittle and victimize others.
How does hate speech impact individuals? On targeted groups? On communities?
Cruel comments can cause an individual to feel scared, angry, ashamed & humiliated.
It can negatively affect members of the targeted group and create a community climate of hatred, mistrust, chaos & inequality.
How can you create a community culture in which hate speech is unacceptable, both online and offline?
To discourage prejudice and discrimination, individuals must embrace every aspect of diversity! By educating ourselves on the things we do not understand, raising awareness & becoming advocates of respect and acceptance of, effective solutions can be created. Extinguishing hate speech is a project for action and intervention, which equips people and organizations with the competences necessary to recognize and act against such human rights violation.
So how 'bout it? Speak peace, not hate!