Hate group is an organization of individuals united behind hatred of other people who share a particular disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other identifying trait. Groups organized around hatred towards other groups or individuals have existed throughout history. During the 1900’s, hate groups and hate crimes emerged as serious threats to both societies and individuals. A crime is considered a hate crime in a court of law when the offender is motivated by prejudice toward the victim because of the victim’s ethnic background, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Prejudice is an opinion or attitude that is not fair and not based on fact. Hate crimes generally carry stronger penalties than those given for other crimes of the same nature that do not include the expression of prejudice.
Today, there are hundreds of hate groups around the world, ranging from groups with small memberships to such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), with several thousand active members. The KKK is a group of secret societies of whites that emerged after the American Civil War (1861-1865). The group opposes the advancement of Black people, Jews, and other minority groups.
In the years following World War II (1939-1945), neo-Nazi (new Nazi) hate groups formed. Nazism was a political movement that developed in Germany in the 1920’s. The Nazis claimed that Jews, Slavs, and other minority groups were inferior to Germans and other northern Europeans. Neo-Nazi groups continue to threaten and attack Jews and members of other minority groups. Like the Nazis and neo-Nazis, white supremacist and white nationalist groups claim the superiority of one race over others. In the United States, some of these groups have described themselves as “alt-right,” a conservative political grouping with elements of anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jews), racism, and nationalism (patriotism). Sometimes, feelings of nationalistic superiority can lead to prejudice or even crimes against those outside a culture.
In the early 2000’s, hate groups organized throughout Europe and committed acts of violence against Muslims. Such acts occurred after large numbers of Muslim refugees fleeing political violence in the Middle East and North Africa emigrated to Europe.
In an effort to prosecute the activities of hate groups, many governments have adopted hate crime laws. Such laws grant law enforcement agencies limited authority to identify, monitor, prosecute, and punish hate group activity and crimes. In the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies monitor hate groups.
Although law enforcement agencies bear the primary responsibility for combating hate groups, educational institutions and civic organizations play important roles in exposing hate groups and promoting safety and security for victimized groups and individuals. For example, such nongovernmental organizations as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Anti-Defamation League, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center monitor, report on, and educate the public on hate groups in the United States and other countries.
