Recent years have shown an increase in the number of individuals and groups making their messages of hate and racial bias known through the Internet.
A recent article in the New York Times by Kirk Johnson provides some examples and insight into the use of the Internet by hate groups and individuals who promote hate and violence.
One of the points of the article discusses the disturbing trend nationally where the concept of race-based perspective being part of a legitimate public discourse is being taken seriously. About a month ago. Unfortunately this perspective is not just limited to economically stressed communities. I recall about a month ago an article that appeared in the Star Tribune that reported on a survey that measured views of Minnesota residents toward immigrants and immigration. It was less than flattering.
What is worse is that fringe groups focused on hate and violence are coming out of the woodwork and finding a legitimate voice in editorial pages in local newspapers and at public meetings. As illustrated in this article, some of these individuals actually find their way to the airwaves as hosts of radio programs.
Taylor quotes Leonard Zeskind, a writer who monitors white supremacists: ” People don’t need to be followers of groups. They just need to be angry.”
Members of the Northfield Human Rights Commission are currently working on a number of projects to help bring the issues of hate and violence to light. Hopefully establishing a network of valid information and education will help prevent our residents from being duped as were many of the individuals listed in this article. Watch for dates and announcements for future Northfield Human Rights activities here as they become available.