Actions are needed to more fully understand the impact of hate, help guide resources to those who are in need, and provide meaningful solutions that seek to end hate in our country.
Here are our recommendations:
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Local and federal agencies must strengthen data collection of hate incidents/hate crimes.
Data must drive policy. The first step in addressing hate violence in America is to know its nature and magnitude. The government should mandate that state and local law enforcement authorities collect both hate incident and hate crime data and report hate crime data to the FBI, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and nationality.
Local and federal agencies must conduct thorough investigations of hate-based incidents and crimes in the future.
Federal agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Justice and the Department of Education, as well as local law enforcement agencies, must continue to identify, investigate, report, and vigorously prosecute violence and harassment based upon hatred for protected categories.
Congress must pass legislation mandating that U.S. Department of Justice funds be made available only to those agencies that are demonstrating credible participation in the Hate Crime Statistics Act program.
Data collection and reporting pursuant to the program would need to include more granular information on specific populations that are being targeted and attacked. Currently, state and local law enforcement agencies are encouraged -- but not *required* by law -- to provide information on hate crimes to federal authorities.
Elected leaders, public officials, and those in positions of power must publicly condemn scapegoating, bias crimes, racism, and other hate speech.
Senior officials across government are in a unique position to use their positions of power and their clout to promote better intergroup relations in this country. They serve as role models and must therefore lead by example, by swiftly condemning any efforts to demonize immigrants, religious minorities, and other groups that have been historically targeted by hate crimes. Additionally, the Department of Justice must continue anti-bias trainings and provide funding for trainings in additional jurisdictions.
Federal elected leaders, public officials, and those in positions of power must use their fiscal authority to fund, for the first time, grants authorized under Sec. 4704 of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
These grants are intended to promote federal coordination and support for bias-motivated criminal investigations and prosecutions by state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials. Both the administration and Congress have a role to play in calling for advancing these grants.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Education must work with Congress to pass comprehensive legislation focusing on inclusive anti-bias education, hate crimes prevention, bullying, and cyberbullying, as well as harassment education, policies, and training initiatives.
Funding is desperately needed for anti-bias education and hate crime prevention initiatives, as well as promoting awareness of effective anti-bias education initiatives. The Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and other federal agencies involved should institutionalize and coordinate their responses to prejudice-motivated violence by passing legislation that includes funding for programs and initiatives developed for schools and for youth violence prevention. The federal government should make information available regarding effective hate crime prevention programs and resources, successful anti-bias training initiatives, and best practices. The FBI should receive funding to update and expand training and outreach to ensure the most comprehensive implementation of the Hate Crime Statistics Act.
Americans must vote their values.
Voters must defend our democracy by electing officials who will honor civil and human rights. All of us have the power to speak out against hate and bigotry ─ and voting in elections from the local to national levels can shift the direction of our country toward our highest ideals of justice and fairness for all. Learn about voting resources in your state and help register others by visiting the Election Assistance Commission here: www.eac.gov/voters/resourcesforvoters
People in America can share their stories through Communities Against Hate.
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed a hate incident, please encourage them to share their story with https://www.communitiesagainsthate.org or the hotline (1-844-9-NO-HATE or 1-844-966-4283), where they can access legal resources and social services support.
Hate leaves no community behind. Our findings reinforce the need for moral leadership at all levels of government — and in communities.
Trump’s derogatory rhetoric against marginalized communities — peddled on Twitter, in public appearances, and elsewhere — has emboldened white nationalists to emerge from hiding, armed with their hatred and fear.
But remember that each of us has a role to play in building the kind of America we all deserve — an America that values the humanity and dignity of every person. We can fulfill our responsibility to one another in our local communities, in the workplace, and at the ballot box, and by contacting our elected leaders and talking to family and friends. We must speak out against hate and bigotry when we see it and document incidents of hate whenever they arise.
Ending prejudice and racial hostility remains elusive. It is time for our nation to redouble its efforts to combat hate in America, and together we can defend our highest ideals of justice, inclusion, and fairness.
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