The Geography of Hate

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.

A really good way to remember the millions who died, is to keep on top of the activities and influence of hate groups around us.

Southern Poverty Law Center has been at the forefront of monitoring hate groups of all kinds. What I especially admire about them is that in addition to tracking these groups and exposing their activities, they are dedicated to teaching tolerance. They "provide educators with free resources that teach school children to reject hate, embrace diversity and respect differences.”

Every year SPLC publishes a report on extremist groups and locates them on a Hate Map. The map is interactive so you can see the groups state, by state. This year there are 932 on the map including neo-Nazis, white nationalists, neo-Confederates, racist skinheads, Klansmen and black separatists. Also, hate groups that target gays or immigrants, and some that specialize in producing racist music or propaganda denying the Holocaust.

Of great concern this year was the tremendous growth of antigovernment “Patriot” groups and militias.