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Xenophobia and Hate Speech
Xenophobia and Hate Speech
Some of you may be familiar with the term "hate speech."
Some of you may be familiar with the term "hate speech."
What do you think it means?
What do you think it means?
Watch the video and reflect..
Watch the video and reflect..
What examples of hate speech do students describe in the video?
What examples of hate speech do students describe in the video?
Why do they say people post hate speech? Do you agree?
Why do they say people post hate speech? Do you agree?
Hate Speech
Hate Speech
Hate speech as a verbal attack targeting someone because of a group they belong to -- e.g., their race, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, etc.
Hate speech has existed for a long time, but in recent years, there's been an increase in how much it appears online.
Hate speech has existed for a long time, but in recent years, there's been an increase in how much it appears online.
64% of teens say they have encountered it at least "sometimes" compared to only 43% in 2012
64% of teens say they have encountered it at least "sometimes" compared to only 43% in 2012
("Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences," Common Sense Research, Sept. 18, 2018).
Xenophobia
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is the fear or distrust of someone or something that is foreign or unknown.
Activity
Activity
The Internet and Extremism
The Internet and Extremism
Complete part 1 by yourself or with a partner. (Make a copy of google doc to fill in sections)
Extremism
Extremism
Extremism as the holding of extreme political or religious views.
Directions:
Directions:
Complete Part 1 on the Internet and Extremism worksheet with a partner or by yourself.
Choose TWO resources listed below and take notes on the Internet and Extremism worksheet on page 2.
Choose TWO resources to review:
Choose TWO resources to review:
What do the resources say about hate speech, xenophobia, and the internet?
What do the resources say about hate speech, xenophobia, and the internet?
Here are some examples:
Here are some examples:
Xenophobia is the fear of someone different from us.
We naturally identify with groups for survival, and this can lead us to hating people in different groups.
Xenophobia can be extreme, or it can just be someone feeling uncomfortable around another person.
"Is YouTube Radicalizing You?"
YouTube runs ads for well-known companies alongside extremist videos.
YouTube tracks what you watch and then autoplays videos that get more and more extreme in nature.
YouTube shows extreme content because it's more engaging and gets you to watch more.
"Instagram Has a Problem with Hate Speech and Extremism"
Extremism on Instagram is more visual: racist memes, screenshots of fake news, videos of rants, etc.
Extremist accounts have millions of followers and are targeted at teenagers.
The Instagram algorithm for page recommendations pushes extremist content out to users.
Extremists have adopted "influencer"-type lifestyle content, which can be harder to crack down on.
What we can do to address the problems they cause?
What we can do to address the problems they cause?
Here are some examples:
Here are some examples:
Exposure to other races and people around the world can help overcome fear of the unknown.
For extreme cases, therapy can be helpful in confronting deep-seated causes of xenophobia.
"Is YouTube Radicalizing You?"
YouTube could change their algorithm to recommend videos that don't just try to get you to watch more but that offer better, more unbiased content.
"Instagram Has a Problem with Hate Speech and Extremism"
Instagram and other social media platforms have to do a better job of policing this kind of content.
They also could update their algorithms to exclude flagged/extreme content.
Countering Hate Speech
Countering Hate Speech
Watch the video on addressing hate speech online and look further below for instructions on completing Part 2 of the Internet and Extremism worksheet.
The video is an interview with Dr. Erin Marie Saltman, who is an expert in online extremism and currently manages Facebook's counter-extremism policy work.
The video is an interview with Dr. Erin Marie Saltman, who is an expert in online extremism and currently manages Facebook's counter-extremism policy work.
Watch the video and reflect..
Watch the video and reflect..
Why does Dr. Saltman say that people are sometimes more extreme online than in person?
What is "counterspeech"? What examples does she give?
Counterspeech
Counterspeech
Counterspeech messages that challenge or debunk extremism and stereotypes.
Counterspeech can take many forms and works best when people apply their passion and skills in other areas to this type of messaging.
Counterspeech can take many forms and works best when people apply their passion and skills in other areas to this type of messaging.
Refection Questions
Refection Questions
What challenges might there be to expressing counterspeech?
Why might you hesitate or not want to do it?
It takes courage and initiative to stand up to hate speech. One way to get involved is to go through an organization that is already doing counterspeech work.
It takes courage and initiative to stand up to hate speech. One way to get involved is to go through an organization that is already doing counterspeech work.
See the Additional Resources and Extension Activities for examples.
The Internet and Extremism Part 2
The Internet and Extremism Part 2
Directions:
Directions:
Watch the video "YouTube Creators for Change: Humza Arshad" and complete the questions in Part 2 on the Internet and Extremism worksheet.
How do Humza's videos counter hate speech and xenophobia?
How do Humza's videos counter hate speech and xenophobia?
Showing Muslims as ordinary people might lead to non-Muslims having less fear of the unknown or xenophobia toward them. He also hopes it will lead to fewer young people becoming radicalized in their beliefs.
Which type of xenophobia and hate speech did you choose to counter? How would you use YouTube or another online platform to do so?
Which type of xenophobia and hate speech did you choose to counter? How would you use YouTube or another online platform to do so?
One example could be...
The video from Humza Arshad, and the act of calling out and creating public awareness around hate speech, lobbying YouTube to change its algorithm, using critical thinking before posting and sharing, and helping those with xenophobia combat their own fears.
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources:
"How young people join violent extremist groups -- and how to stop them", TEDxGhent, Dr. Erin Marie Saltman, June 2016.
Youth Civil Activism Network (YouthCAN), Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), 2019
Optional Extension Activity:
Optional Extension Activity:
Record and share your idea for combating hate speech and xenophobia. Make sure you identify what type of hate speech or xenophobia you are responding to. Share with a family member, friend, teacher or social media if you are comfortable.
Plan and promote a counter-narrative campaign using The Counter-Narrative Toolkit.
Lesson Quiz
Lesson Quiz
Family Tips
Family Tips
Digital Citizenship Family Activity:
Digital Citizenship Family Activity:
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