Friend,

I’m Michael Lieberman, and I work to support policies that counter hate and extremism. That means I have a special focus on hate crime prevention.

Senseless hate violence is heartbreaking — and all too common. Disturbingly, the most recent FBI hate crime report documented near-record-high levels of hate violence in the U.S.

Starting a conversation with your community about hate crime prevention isn’t always easy, but we’re here to help with Hate Crimes, Explained. This blog is your personal explainer for what hate crimes are, why they’re happening so frequently, and why Hate Crimes Awareness Month is so important.

We’ve got to do something to change the tide of hate, and as a Southern Poverty Law Center supporter, I know you agree, friend. That’s why I wanted to share this important resource I drafted (exclusive to SPLC supporters) with you.

Hate crime vs. hate speech

Americans are free to think, preach and believe whatever they want. Only when an individual commits a crime and intentionally targets a person for violence or vandalism because of their own bias can a hate crime statute be triggered.

What motivates hate offenders?

Every year since 1991, the FBI has documented that racial bias is the motivating factor in most hate crimes. But other factors involving the psychology of the offender have also been the subject of research. Read Hate Crimes, Explained to learn what the experts say about hate crimes and how we can prevent hate violence.

In recent years, hate crime rates have been at their peak, yet the FBI’s voluntary hate crime reporting system fails to show the full scope of the problem. And these hate crimes have a horrific impact — individual victims are harmed, then that harm radiates outwards as other members of the victim’s community are left feeling terrorized, isolated, vulnerable and unprotected by the law.

That’s why it’s so important that people like you remain committed to justice. This Hate Crimes Awareness Month, get involved by reading and sharing Hate Crimes, Explained and We can fight hate and build community.

Thank you for being an important part of our work,

Michael Lieberman
Senior Policy Counsel, Hate and Extremism