Hidden Hate
Where does hate hide in plain sight?
Sometimes songs, even from popular artists, talk about violence or hateful ideas. If your friend is listening to a song you’ve heard before, you probably don’t need to worry.
However, hateful groups have a history of using music to spread their views. If you have a friend who is listening to a group you have never heard of, pay attention to the lyrics and titles of songs. If you see anything that references hate, prejudice, bias, or slurs, try talking to your friend.
If your friend is listening to music that concerns you and praising violent acts, seek help from a trusted adult right away.
Read more about the connection between hate and music.
There are all kinds of memes and symbols associated with hate. Some of them are easy to spot, like the swastika, and others can hide in plain sight, like certain memes. If you see your friend sharing something that you don’t recognize, ask them about it!
If you notice a change in your friend’s behavior, and they are also sharing memes you don’t recognize, talk to a trusted adult. You’re not snitching on your friend. They may be going through something, and getting them early support is the best way to be a good friend.
You can also check for yourself if you’re worried about a hateful symbol.
Like memes, you might see unfamiliar symbols on someone’s clothing, decorative pins, or even clothing patches. If it feels safe to do so, you can always ask about what something means.
You can also check for yourself if you’re worried about a symbol.
As always, if you see something you don’t recognize and you hear a person saying hateful things or talking about violence, share your concerns with a trusted adult.
It’s Not Just a Joke
Hate is sneaky and can often hide behind humor. You’ve probably seen someone make a “joke” that’s just a mean comment. Throwing an “LOL” or a “haha” at the end of a statement does not make it any less harmful. Telling jokes is one way that bias and hateful ideas are reinforced and repeated.
- Do I feel kind of guilty for laughing at that joke?
- Does this joke make fun of people getting seriously hurt?
- Is this a joke about characteristics outside of someone’s control (like skin color or disability?)
- Does this joke use stereotypes?
- If a teacher heard this, would they think it’s funny?
- How would I feel if this joke was told about me?
- How would the person we’re joking about feel if they heard us?
- Is this a joke about hurting or killing people because of their identity?
When you hear a joke that you think went too far, don’t be afraid to speak up and say something. Here are some examples of jokes that go too far, and how you can flip the script.
If you have a friend who is telling offensive jokes and you think there might be something else going on, try talking to them. If it seems like this friend is using humor to test out or share hateful ideas, tell a trusted adult.
What is Propaganda?
Propaganda is a form of communication that aims to change people’s beliefs and behaviors. It uses words that play on emotions, especially negative ones, to get people’s attention.
Propaganda often uses incorrect or biased information to convince people. It can be used to spread hatred and encourage violence. There are many different types of propaganda. Some might be obvious, while other forms are harder to spot. Learn more about propaganda here:
If you hear a friend repeating something that you think is propaganda, talk to them about it and learn more about why they’re sharing it.
If you feel like you’re hearing something hateful, interrupt or redirect the conversation.
Hate groups often use propaganda as a tool to spread their ideas. If you see something hateful, here’s what you can do about it:
Remember that...
Your safety always comes first. If you don’t know how to address something, or you don’t feel safe, you should find a trusted adult who can help.
Watch what propaganda can look like in action:
Prebunking Manipulation Techniques: Emotional Language
Hate Speech vs. Free Speech
Freedom of speech is a basic right for Americans. It is protected by the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In the United States, there are very few legal restrictions about what you can and can’t say. Even though most hateful speech is legally protected, that doesn’t make it right.
- Speech that is knowingly false and harmful to a person’s reputation (Defamation)
- Speech that encourages someone to immediately commit a crime (Incitement)
- Speech that threatens someone and causes them to fear for their safety (True Threats)
- Speech that tries to provoke someone into reacting (Fighting Words)
Source: Is Hate Speech Illegal?
Learn more: Is hate speech illegal?
You should know also that the 1st Amendment prevents the government from restricting speech.
Private businesses, private schools, and privately owned media companies can set their own rules and responses for certain types of speech.
You might hear someone say something hateful and then justify it because of their right to free speech.
Even if that speech is legally protected, and even though free speech is an important right, it doesn’t mean that hateful speech is right. Here are some ways you can respond when you hear something hateful.
If you hear someone saying hateful things and talking about violence, tell a trusted adult or seek help.
More Information
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Why Language matters
The way we speak to and about each other can have a big impact. Have you ever heard someone saying something unkind about you? How did it make you feel? Now think about a time when you heard something unkind about someone because of their skin color or religious beliefs. How do you think it would feel to hear that said about you?
"Wow, her hijab is really beautiful, I love the color she chose."
"I can't believe she wears that thing on her head. Can you imagine coming to school like that?"
Comments like sentence two make people feel “othered” and contribute to negative bias and stereotypes about specific identity groups.
Even if a comment is directed at only one person at a time, the ripple effect of this bias can end up hurting many other people, too. In the worst case, it can result in violence targeted at an identity group, making all members of that group feel less safe.
Speaking kindly about people can go a long way to preventing violence. Inclusive communities are safer communities, and you can start with how you speak!
Interrupt this kind of speech when you hear it and find out what actions you can take to UP End Hate when it happens.
This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-23-TTP-132-00-01.
Eradicate Hate Global Summit
500 Grant Street, Suite 4500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2514
info@eradicatehatesummit.org
