Hate and bias activity impacts us deeply at the community level; when one of our community members is targeted by hate-motivated actions, we all suffer because these actions disrespect and dehumanize each of us. In other words, the violation of one person’s human rights is the violation of all of our human rights. And yet, while we may recognize this, it can somehow still be difficult not to become immobilized in the face of hatred. Why is this so?

The is the first in a series of stories that will focus on hate and bias activity in our community. In this installment, we first discuss what hate and bias activity can include and then distinguish between hate activity and hate crime.