Hate Social Networks

From LoveToKnow SocialNetworking

The worldwide community has been brought much closer together than ever before, thanks to Web 2.0 tools and technologies. However, these technologies are also breeding online communities known as "hate social networks."

What is a Hate Social Network?

In years past, when a group of people felt animosity or hatred toward another group of people, they would often blame that group for the social ills of the society.

The History of Hate Groups

Examples of such misplaced blame can be seen throughout history. Immigrants, just entering the United States in the late 1800s, were blamed for the lack of well-paying jobs. Nazi Germany blamed the Jews for the Great Depression after losing World War I. Even some Americans, today, blame minorities for crime, or illegal immigrants for the high cost of health care. Such beliefs, based primarily on hate and stereotypes, have been a constant part of society for ages. Until the powerful social networking tools of Web 2.0 came along, these groups have never had such an effective method to spread messages of hatred and bigotry to a worldwide audience. Today, they do.

The Face of Hate on the Web

The face of hatred online is anonymous. Anyone with an Internet connection can sign up for a free email account, under a false identity, and start communicating their ideas over hate social networks with other people who share those beliefs. While this is dangerous enough, the greater danger comes from efforts of these social networks to draw innocent Internet visitors into these hate-based belief systems.

Examples of such hate-based social networks:

Internet Jihad: According to a 1997 New York Times report, Muslim extremists are using Internet blogs and websites used to spread anti-Jewish and anti-American ideology across the world.
MySpace, YouTube, and Facebook: All three of the most popular social networks are filled with users who post hate content.
JuicyCampus: This website encourages online hate by promoting the anonymous posting of attacks on other students.
Podblanc: A White Supremacist media site filled with streaming videos that broadcast some of the most hateful and racist content available anywhere on the net.
88tube.net: A White Supremacist YouTube-like website where the motto of the site is, "Freedom of Speech Applied."
Hatebook: Hatebook is a website where users post what they "hate," whether it's a friend, a race, or a religion.

Become an Online Activist Against Hate

According to an Associated Press article in January of 2008, Shimon Peres urged a gathering of international students at the Holocaust memorial in Israel to use social networking as "an effective means to counter the spread of hate and incitement on the Internet." He encouraged students to teach their friends about the horrible events that took place during the holocaust, and he advised students to remain vigilant and proactive in order to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.

Should You Try to Shut Them Down?

Freedom of speech is an inalienable right that every person in a free and democratic society is entitled to. This freedom is one that allows the oppressed to voice discontent about an oppressor. It is a right that allows free citizens to criticize leadership and the government without threat or intimidation. Removing or degrading that absolute right is out of the question. As S.G. Tallentyre's famous quote reflects, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." This is the spirit in which every free person, across the world, stands united. Ultimately, overall freedom stems from the basic right of every human to voice words of protest, to pen editorials against leadership, and to publish Internet websites or posts reflecting personal views. Although the medium is new and worldwide, this critical freedom, and its ever-present fragility, remains unchanged.

Weapons Available Against Haters

While freedom of speech protects hate content, this freedom also affords the educated and those who believe in true equality with the same rights and privileges. However, with these rights come responsibilities. Every person within a free society shares the responsibility of standing vigilant against ignorance and bigotry. For those who would bravely take up arms against online hatred and bigotry - the following tools are available to Internet soldiers who recognize and understand the lessons of the holocaust, slavery, and the violence of the civil rights movement.

All Social Networks: Take up the cause on every social network you're a member of. Whether it's Facebook, MySpace, or any other, tell stories about past atrocities caused by hatred and intolerance.
YouthWEB Online: A recruiting center for young online leaders who want to stand up against online bias, bigotry and prejudice.
Tolerance.org: Here you can learn how to respond to bigoted comments, and find resources to intelligently deconstruct all ignorant arguments of bigotry and intolerance online.
iCelebrateDiversity.com: Provides extensive resources including links to blogs, camps and workshops, support organizations and advocacy groups who all stand ready to support you in your online fight.
Anti-Defamation League: Believe the "white male" stereotype about bigots? This article from the ADL proves that people of any gender, race, or creed are susceptible to the disease of ignorance and bias against other groups.
NIOT: Join with Not In Our Town (NIOT) to make your voice heard, and let the world know that hate crime will not be allowed in your own community.
HateWatch: A heavy-hitting anti-hate blog and news resource that speaks out loudly against intolerance and hate.