Hate is a growing issue in society and we are struggling to find an appropriate pathway on protecting people's rights to have opinions while still ensuring they are not being destructive to their fellow Americans; including the long-term health of democracy. To me, I pick no side other than the side of good moral conscious and the strategic options and value systems needed to encourage togetherness as a people (You don't have to be a saint to have moral conscious, you just need basic values and a willingness to think prosocial.). Sometimes protecting freedom requires challenging hate with win-win arguments (...again assuming the goal is win-win).
Keep in mind it is never a 'better than you' or against reasonable mistakes. We have a moral obligation to society, at least those who believe in it, to challenged shortsightedness, bigotry and hate in a constructive way. While not each person can hope to have a positive outcome when challenging hate, we do know that if we don't challenge hate, toxic souls will spread the narrative to infect our society with mayhem. If we say nothing because of fear, than we become part of the problem (Also be kind and helpful even when challenging because we are still in the same ship together and things do change. You can have constructive conversations without being dragged into the mud with the haters....the key power hate groups have.)
You can consider reading, Cause for Concern 2024: The State of Hate (I don't know the organization but the information seems beneficial for understanding. I have been using Update on Hate as a series of hypothetical discussions to explore the topic in a politically and socially neutral fashion as is needed when the same moral values apply equally across peoples. i.e. Universalism.)
The following are based on a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. They are theoretical in nature so may not actually be true but certainly could be true in some situations and places where the central tenants of our nation are not fully upheld. Hate is usually connected to other poor behaviors because it is a tool to cover inner distortions that lead to chronic poor choices for them and those within hate networks.
Those who complain about such behaviors are often sidelined as some people mock "rights" with a rolling of their eyes. I believe that victims have rights too no matter what anyone else thinks about it (Rolling of the eyes is an attempt to minimize its importance and the hard earned freedoms of our society.). Those earned freedoms are what makes us free and that is fundamentally what people support and protect. We are free because we positively challenge hate to maintain that freedom (Republican, Democrat, or Independent it makes no difference! You should never sell out your nation for your politics.).
Sometimes these groups working in social networks and chatter and as they act on their distorted beliefs in a way that creates increasingly more issues for others because they can't manage their bias. For example, what is a microaggression such as rude behavior and what is overt displays of extremism? We don't have a good grasp as a people so these groups are somewhat immune.
The following is an attempt to start defining what these behaviors look like and what should be avoided in a universal democracy where each person is seen as having full rights as a citizen and valuable contributor to society. Where we fail, we morally fail, and where we win, we strengthen the roots of democracy. Leadership should manage for all of society and not partisan or extremist groups that use hate and intimidation as a tool.
This are just illustrative examples that I believe would apply to all different types of people such as White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, etc....its makes no different their color or their religion; at least it shouldn't.
Concepts for Hate Theory Development:
Rumors/Hate Narrative: Rumors and false information is the first method in which they prepare the stage for targeting. That gets moral buy in among normally reasonable people.
Intimidation/Violence: As groups get hyped they engage in micro and overt displays of aggression that include incidents of attempted or threatened violence. It tests the boundaries and seeks to dominate fellow Americans based on unAmerican perspectives.
Subject to Corruption: Where such groups are associated with corrupted officials, the misuse of power may end up being used to further the hate agenda within social networks. Hate is a distortion in the mind based on illogical symbolism of self and society. Thus, hate is associated with other issues and problems through a pattern of choices.
Political Extremism and Hyper Politics: While this isn't direct impact we can find that part of the issue of corruption might be related to political extremism and hyper politics where divisions in society give cover for poor behaviors. Where race and religion are thrown into a discussion in a non-civil way, we have outward expressions of internal beliefs.
Dehumanization/Civil Rights: Where corruption and hate are associated we will find dehumanization and violations of human rights. Those who challenge hate were dehumanized before and such hate rapidly escalates to create more tension and intimidation to warn the victims their lives, opinions, contributions, and value to society are little to nothing; i.e. disposable second class citizens. The goal is to prompt others to harm.
Job Rejection/Enrichment: The hate narrative mixed with corruption allows hate group initiators to reject qualified candidates, manipulate the law and ultimately advantage themselves or their group. They will block people from jobs, pressure them to leave public service, use the hate narrative to damage their credibility, and seek to isolate them and keep them poor, uninformed, and not able to influence the assets of local governance and/its institutions.
One thing that targets of large hate groups should be aware is that it doesn't end just because someone said it should end. There will still be people out there that fall outside the normal line of correction and their microaggressions are lingering catalyst to again spark the waves of victim blaming and hate targeting. The lingering hate chatter creates long term risks of lone wolf actors, tension, and seeks to encourage interpersonal conflicts (i.e. the good old boy networks).
The long tail of hate occurs because the perception of minorities (White. Black, Hispanic, Christian, Muslim, Jew, etc. in a highly diverse society) has been tainted so the victims have few practical options. Complaining doesn't always work well so one must be constructive. Challenging poor behaviors with a toxic personality may lead to another wave of hate but in the long run it is well worth the price so the next generation doesn't have to deal with lingering segregationist perspectives that have held our nation from its true potential (Notice you need not make a distinction by race, religion, gender, or politics. It applies equally. i.e. inching closer to the ideal.).
Theory development doesn't yet come with an easy solution because there are structural and non-structural aspects of hate that move across different social, political, and in the case of corruption institutional lines. Social and coordinated hate are amebic in social networks but when its found in institutions...it needs to be addressed quickly so as to preserve the integrity of such institutions.
Hate should be rejected by all parties and peoples for the good of the whole. To think critically let us envision rejecting hate completely in our society and then let us think about what embracing hate fully in society looks like....to me I prefer rejecting hate and its supporters. It seems the most logical and moral thing to do. Just saying the truth....
"“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
If you want to conduct research on hate there are some grants available from the National Institution of Justice NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on Hate Crimes. Personally I think researchers should collaborate when conducting research on hate for general validity and protection.
*This article is designed for illustrative and learning purposes to understand freedom of religion and freedom of speech in our society.
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