Online Hate and Harassment: The American Experience 2021

According to the latest results from ADL’s annual survey of hate and harassment on social media, despite the seeming blitz of self-regulation from technology companies, the level of online hate and harassment reported by users barely shifted when compared to reports from a year ago.

This is the third consecutive year ADL has conducted its nationally representative survey. Forty-one percent of Americans who responded to the survey said they had experienced online harassment in this year’s survey, comparable to the 44% reported in ADL’s 2020 “Online Hate and Harassment” report . Severe online harassment comprising sexual harassment, stalking, physical threats, swatting, doxing and sustained harassment also remained relatively constant compared to the prior year, experienced by 27% of respondents, not a significant change from the 28% reported in the previous survey.
 

REPAIR Plan: Fighting Hate in the Digital World

National and state laws and policies require significant updates to hold online platforms and individual perpetrators accountable for enabling or promoting hate and extremism. With this plan, ADL offers a comprehensive framework for platforms and policymakers to take meaningful action to decrease online hate and extremism. REPAIR addresses many manifestations of online hate, including online harassment, antisemitism, racism, extremist disinformation and domestic terrorism. There is no single fix to the problem, but REPAIR presents a clear path forward.

To push hate and extremism to the fringes of the digital world, we all must prioritize:
Regulation and reform
Enforcement at scale
People over profit
Access to justice
Interrupting disinformation
Research and innovation.

• Press Release: Asian-Americans Experience Rise in Severe Online Hate and Harassment, ADL Survey Finds
• PROTECT Fact Sheet: Six Facts of REPAIR that Will Help Push Hate and Extremism to the Fringes of the Digital World
• Social Media Toolkit: Raise Awareness and Share on Social Media to join ADL to #REPAIRTheInternet
• Action Item: Send an email to your elected officials with one click

2021 Survey on Jewish Americans’ Experiences with Antisemitism

The American Jewish community continues to face significant fear and anxiety from the threat of antisemitic or other hateful attacks and harassment. Following up on our 2020 survey results, we asked Jewish Americans to tell us about their experiences online and off with antisemitism. Their responses indicate that antisemitism still is very much a part of Jewish Americans’ lives.

ADL Washington, D.C. in the Local News

ADL Washington, D.C. staff are working to keep the public informed. Check out the links below to view news coverage of our work in our local communities:

• Attacks Against Asian Americans / Masks -  (NPR: HearSay with Cathy Lewis)
• White supremacist propaganda incidents in DC area doubled in 2020, ADL says - (Washington Jewish Week)

ADL Urges Support of the North Carolina Hate Crimes Prevention Act

All North Carolina residents have a stake in effective responses to violent bigotry. “For far too long, North Carolina’s hate crime laws have not provided protections for victims who are targeted based on their gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or disability. At a time of rising hatred and bigotry across the nation and here in North Carolina, this gap in the law must be closed,” said Doron F. Ezickson, VP Mid-Atlantic/Midwest Division.

The North Carolina Hate Crimes Prevention Act will close critical loopholes in the hate crimes framework and assure all residents and stakeholders that North Carolina is no place for hate. 
 

Seeking Immigrant and Refugee Justice on Passover

When the Jewish people recite the story of Passover, they recall Pharaoh’s ignorance and hate which led him to enslave the Israelites. They remember Moses and Aaron advocating for their people’s freedom, and the strength and determination shown in the face of uncertainty when freedom was finally won. They eat food that symbolizes not only the Israelites’ pain but the pain of those who suffered around them during the fight for freedom. And they sing to echo the joy felt at the moment of liberation before stepping forward towards the hope of a better life.  

The history of the Jewish people, during and long after the events of the Passover story, reflects the strength required to leave one’s home in search of freedom, safety and security, and the hardship, and sometimes bigotry, one might face in a new land. They know from the experience in Egypt, and for the thousands of years since, how it feels to be persecuted and seek refuge. This Passover, let us all embrace the lessons of this holiday’s story and extend a hand of friendship to our immigrant and refugee neighbors and advocate for their rights. 
 

Teaching about Racism, Violence, Inequity and the Criminal Justice System

For the past several years, there have been incidents of police officers involved in the deaths of Black and Latinx  people. In many of these cases, police officers were not indicted and not convicted when brought to trial. These cases have brought about a wide range of emotions, conversations, policy proposals, protests and actions. Because this is an important conversation that teachers, parents and family members want to have with young people, below are relevant lesson plans, related curricula and additional anti-bias resources and strategies to help you discuss this topic with young people in school and at home.
 

Hate/Uncycled: Inclusive Campuses Challenging Bias and Hate

Hate/Uncycled is ADL’s Model for Responding to Hate and Bias Incidents. The resources and programs prepare administrators, faculty, staff, students and campus police to become leaders in challenging bias in individuals and systems, working toward inclusion and instilling policies and practices for equity.
 

Missed a Webinar? Check Out ADL’s YouTube Channel for all of ADL’s Recorded Webinars!

At a time when we can all feel isolated, we need to pull together now more than ever to stand up against antisemitism and extremism. 

ADL offers a monthly webinar as part of its series, Fighting Hate from Home, to help unite and inform our community.

March's ADL Fighting Hate from Home webinar was on "A Broken System: Immigration and the American Dream," where ADL welcomed Lydia Guzman, LULAC’s National Immigration Chair, Clarissa Martinez de Castro, Deputy VP for Policy and Advocacy of Unidos US and Ali Noorani, President/CEO of the National Immigration Forum to join ADL VP of Government Relations, Advocacy and Community Engagement Max Sevillia and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt for an important conversation about immigration.

Is Your Synagogue Part of ADL’s Signature Synagogue Program? 

ADL Washington, D.C.'s Regional Signature Synagogue Program is an important way to engage our community and ignite a congregation-wide commitment to raising awareness of and speaking out against antisemitism and hate. This program creates a unifying initiative for community education and engagement. Participants in the Signature Synagogue Program will have special direct access to ADL's programs, resources and learning opportunities. This is an ongoing year-long program where each synagogue will receive recognition of participation and granted a certificate of completion. 

For more information, contact ADL Washington, D.C.