As a society, we have made great strides in fighting discrimination and hate speech. But that doesn’t mean we are anywhere near done. We still have a lot of work to do, before we can say that all people are treated equally under the law.
Counterterrorism organizations have been working hard to combat terrorism and hate speech, using a variety of tactics. In this article – we’ll explore the importance of countering discrimination and discuss what you can do to help.
Bystander intervention is essential.
You can help prevent harassment and hate speech by intervening as a bystander.
- Intervene when you see someone being harassed, even if it’s not your business to do so. Ask the person who is being harassed if they need help or if they want to report the incident. If they say yes, take down any details about what happened (who was involved, where it occurred), that might be useful later in reporting to a supervisor or authority figure at work or school.
- Understand that prevention is often easier than intervention–especially when dealing with language-based harassment like offensive jokes or slurs: speak up! Call out others when they use discriminatory language; ensure people know this behavior isn’t acceptable.
Learn to recognize the signs of prejudice in yourself or others.
You may be surprised to learn- that you can be prejudiced without realizing it. Prejudices can occur at the unconscious level, and they are often unintentional. If you say things like “I’m not a racist” and then go on to make racially charged comments or jokes, this is a sign that your biases influence how you think about people from other racial groups.
You might also want to take note of any biases within yourself if they’re rooted in fear or ignorance–these are common reasons why people hold prejudices against others based on factors such as gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability status (among many other categories).
Understand that by doing nothing, you are perpetuating the problem.
Bystanders can make a difference. Bystanders are often the first to notice discrimination and hate speech and can play an essential role in countering it. If you see something- say something! Bystanders can be empowered to help others by learning about the impact of discrimination and hate speech on individuals who experience it.
In addition, bystanders are often in positions of power or influence that can make them effective advocates for change within their communities or organizations.
Bystanders have been shown time and time again to be responsible for many different forms of violence against women–from domestic violence to sexual assault – and, therefore, must be held accountable for their actions (or lack thereof).
We know that bystanders need tools to recognize these behaviors and to know what actions should be taken next when witnessing them happening around them.”
If you need help with this, ask for it.
As you begin to take on this challenge – you must not let yourself get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. If you need help with this, ask for it.
Do not be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes while learning to combat discrimination and hate speech. And if someone shows interest in helping you with your work, don’t turn them away-engage them!
Finally, although combating discrimination and hate speech is essential to work, we must remember that there is more than one way we can contribute towards creating an inclusive society where everyone feels safe and welcome regardless of who they are or where they come from.
