WHY THE INCREASE IN HATE GROUPS?
There has been an increase in hate groups in this country in the last three years. There were approximately 939 hate groups in this country in 2013, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The increase in hate groups is closely related to the rise of the Patriot Movement. The Patriot Movement is an armed militia group that has an anti-government ideology. It is believed that the anger of this group, and the increase in their numbers since 2008 stems from the various issues arising from the state of the economy along with the election of President Obama. Some of the issues at the focal point of this anger is the increase in unemployment, the housing crisis that spread across the country, finding many people in this country feeling that the government, namely Barack Obama was the blame for this. The bail out of the banks and automobile industry created a sense that the current administration was leading our country into despair. People began to join these groups to begin a movement to “take their country back”. The Patriot Movement has gone from 149 groups in 2008, to 512 groups in 2009, 812 groups in 2010, and an alarming increase last year to 1,274.
There have been other hate groups springing up also such as The Sovereign Citizens group. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, this group believes that they should not have to pay taxes and follow the laws of this country. The SPLC also states that the FBI issued a bulletin stating that the sovereigns have had some conflicts with law enforcement and since 2000 there has been six law enforcement officers killed by sovereigns. The bulletin also notes that “Terry Nichols, who was convicted in the Oklahoma City bombing was also a sovereign.” (http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2012/spring/the-year-in-hate-and-extremism)
The other hate groups on the rise according to the SPLC is the anti-gay groups rising from 17 groups in 2010 to 27 groups in 2011. Anti-Muslim groups rose from 10 groups in 2010 to 30 groups in 2011.
The increase in hate groups should concern people in this country as well as our government. These groups do not represent what most Americans believe. Hate is never beneficial for anyone. It will not solve the problems we face in this country. Hate only fuels violence, and from violence pain is inflicted. There has to be a better way to communicate when you disagree with someone or if you disagree with government. Spreading hatred and teaching your children to hate will only exacerbate the problem, and the problem will continue in future generations. It would be a better idea to begin to teach our children in school the effect that hate has on this country, and how it could ultimately affect them. I think it is important to try to reach the children at a young age because some of our children are taught to hate every day at home. They need to be exposed to a different perspective and maybe in the future the conversation of hate and hate groups will not be as urgent as it is today.
There are just some people in this country that cannot see beyond President Obama’s skin color. You may not agree with his policies, but there are ways to express your disagreement and be heard without resulting to hate and violence.
Hating a group of people because of what they believe or what they stand for is ignorant and a time waster. People in this country have a right to be who they want to be as long as they do not threaten, intimidate or harm anyone else. Respect for others beliefs and opinions is the only way you can live in this country in harmony.
Top Five States with the Most Hate groups
1. California (77)
2. Georgia (50)
3. Florida (58)
4. New Jersey (44)
5. Texas (57)
Click below to view the Hate Group Map to see the number of hate groups in your state:
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-map
Source:
Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-map
There have been other hate groups springing up also such as The Sovereign Citizens group. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, this group believes that they should not have to pay taxes and follow the laws of this country. The SPLC also states that the FBI issued a bulletin stating that the sovereigns have had some conflicts with law enforcement and since 2000 there has been six law enforcement officers killed by sovereigns. The bulletin also notes that “Terry Nichols, who was convicted in the Oklahoma City bombing was also a sovereign.” (http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2012/spring/the-year-in-hate-and-extremism)
The other hate groups on the rise according to the SPLC is the anti-gay groups rising from 17 groups in 2010 to 27 groups in 2011. Anti-Muslim groups rose from 10 groups in 2010 to 30 groups in 2011.
The increase in hate groups should concern people in this country as well as our government. These groups do not represent what most Americans believe. Hate is never beneficial for anyone. It will not solve the problems we face in this country. Hate only fuels violence, and from violence pain is inflicted. There has to be a better way to communicate when you disagree with someone or if you disagree with government. Spreading hatred and teaching your children to hate will only exacerbate the problem, and the problem will continue in future generations. It would be a better idea to begin to teach our children in school the effect that hate has on this country, and how it could ultimately affect them. I think it is important to try to reach the children at a young age because some of our children are taught to hate every day at home. They need to be exposed to a different perspective and maybe in the future the conversation of hate and hate groups will not be as urgent as it is today.
There are just some people in this country that cannot see beyond President Obama’s skin color. You may not agree with his policies, but there are ways to express your disagreement and be heard without resulting to hate and violence.
Hating a group of people because of what they believe or what they stand for is ignorant and a time waster. People in this country have a right to be who they want to be as long as they do not threaten, intimidate or harm anyone else. Respect for others beliefs and opinions is the only way you can live in this country in harmony.
Top Five States with the Most Hate groups
1. California (77)
2. Georgia (50)
3. Florida (58)
4. New Jersey (44)
5. Texas (57)
Click below to view the Hate Group Map to see the number of hate groups in your state:
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-map
Source:
Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-map
Comment Form is loading comments...
