Exploring Hate

Charlottesville. Pittsburgh. New Zealand. The threat of real-world violence from hateful extremism is growing. In the wake of these and other attacks, there is an increasing public outcry for governments, tech companies, and others to address the deadly effects of hate-inspired violence. As extremists and hate groups become savvier at mobilizing through social media, there will be ever more intense calls for stronger, swifter responses. Yet these responses must be based on research and data, rather than fear and intuition. In order to formulate the right responses, there are still many unanswered questions that must be addressed.

What are the actual constellations and contours of hate groups in the United States? What types of hateful content are being promulgated by these groups, and how? Beyond specific groups, how should we think about broader networks of hate? What are the dynamics of connection between online activities and real-world violence? When and where are hateful activities most pernicious and threatening? What impact do major incidents of hate have on individuals and communities? And what can been done to provide more support to impacted individuals and communities?

In an attempt to answer these vexing questions, Joshua Geltzer, Dipayan Ghosh, and Robert McKenzie have curated a diverse set of essays from scholars, public intellectuals, community leaders, policymakers, religious clerics, tech industry officials, and victims themselves. Taken together, these essays not only explore the different manifestations and consequences of hate today but also offer concrete and actionable solutions. Exploring Hate: An Anthology is uniquely positioned to shape and drive a vital public conversation on the issue of hate. As the global public grapples with emergent and evolving forms of hate, this volume will provide a guide for understanding that hate—and the options for addressing it.