Hate Map: Southern Poverty Law Center Tracks Hate Groups

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a non-profit organization that tracks and monitors hate groups and other extremist organizations in the United States. One of the tools they use to do this is the “Hate Map,” which is an interactive map that displays the locations of hate groups throughout the country.

The Hate Map was first created by the SPLC in 1990 and has since become an important resource for journalists, researchers, and law enforcement officials. The map is updated annually and provides information about the number and types of hate groups operating in each state. It also includes information about extremist events and activities, such as rallies and protests.

The Hate Map includes groups that are classified as “hate groups” by the SPLC, which are defined as organizations that “have beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics.” These characteristics can include race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

While some critics have accused the SPLC of being overly broad in their definition of hate groups and of unfairly labeling conservative organizations as hate groups, the SPLC maintains that their criteria are based on the actions and statements of these groups and not on their political beliefs.

The Hate Map can be a useful tool for individuals and organizations looking to understand the extent of hate group activity in their area and to track trends over time. It can also be a valuable resource for law enforcement officials, who can use the information to help identify potential threats and to allocate resources accordingly.

However, it’s important to note that the Hate Map is not a comprehensive list of all hate group activity in the United States. Some groups may not be included on the map, either because they are not actively operating or because the SPLC has not yet identified them as hate groups.

Additionally, the Hate Map does not provide information about individual hate crimes or incidents of hate speech. While hate groups can be an important indicator of potential threats, it’s important to recognize that hate crimes and hate speech can occur outside of organized hate groups as well.

Overall, the Hate Map from the Southern Poverty Law Center can be a valuable resource for those looking to understand the extent and nature of hate group activity in the United States. However, it’s important to use the map in conjunction with other sources of information and to recognize its limitations as a tool for understanding hate-related issues.

See the map now https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map