When Hate is Close to Home

Hate plagues the hearts of many in the United States, and according to Lecia Brooks, who spoke to the Viterbo community on October 17, it is important that everyone is conscious of how it affects their own lives. As disheartening as it is, America still contains many groups fueled by antisemitism, islamophobia, and racism. In fact, Brooks shared that the U.S. has 956 such groups. Brooks is a part of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which helps track and report on hate groups. The SPLC has recorded a rise in hate groups over the past couple decades, and as the number of minorities increases, so, too, does the number of hate groups. In a landscape where hate can affect people in daily life, the SPLC does their best to represent the oppressed and make sure things stay fair for them. For example, the SPLC provides representation for young illegal immigrants who cannot stand up for themselves at deportation hearings.

Brooks shared that the first step in stopping hate around us is acting on it. If we see hate in action, we must be vocal about our disdain towards it and help those who are being irrationally bullied. Studies show that when experiencing public displays of hatred, most people are prone to stand idly by until someone else does something about it. People need to take the step in being the first person to stand up to oppression, according to Brooks. She also warned of hate groups trying to recruit college students and asked that all students heavily research a group before advertising or joining them.

Calvin O’Connell, a sophomore Viterbo student who attended the speech, said he enjoyed how educated Brooks was and was glad she brought attention to many kinds of hate groups, including those that often hide in the shadows, claiming that she, “gave a face to this faceless entity that is hate groups.” O’Connell shared that “It’s the vocal minority that you hear. And the thing is, hate groups are also a silent minority. They don’t draw attention to themselves ninety percent of the time. When they do, it’s these huge events, but how many happened that you didn’t hear about?”

Kennedy Konsitzke, another sophomore, who also attended, spoke about how she enjoyed Brook’s emphasis on the issues that many overlook, especially regarding families being separated during immigration. Konsitzke shared, “I think the more educated we can become on the subject is so important. Hearing it from somebody that truly did know what she was talking about was truly important.”