Confronting Hate Speech Head On

Avoiding the Kindness Trap

We applaud the United Nations' robust set of tools to counter hate speech. When confronting this type of bigoted language remember, you cannot fight hate speech with kindness. Listening, empathy, respect and love are important, but they are not tools for dismantling hate speech. This is because hate speech is not about a lack of understanding. Language based in hate can’t be deconstructed and highlighted for its harmful impacts through tolerance. This is a common and inadequate approach that deserves further attention to help us all avoid it.?

Here are four tips to help your organization counter hate speech:

1. Name dehumanizing elements
2. Avoid the simplistic love/hate dichotomy
3. Only use a framework of tolerance if combined with a recognition of power, and
4. Provide better alternatives.?

For complete information and examples of how to say #NoToHate, read the full article here.