Brooks said anti-immigrant groups brand immigrants as criminals, “drains on society,” and cultural threats to the United States, while anti-LGBTQ groups use demonizing rhetoric.
Black people, she noted, remain the most frequent victims of race-based hate crimes.
“The false belief that anti-Black racism no longer exists is a lie,” Brooks said. “Black people have always been the number one target of race-based hate crimes.”
While the SPLC’s mission is to stop hate groups, Brooks said the organization has also expanded its focus to helping families and educators shield young people from extremist influence — or intervene if they have already been indoctrinated.
“They are out to get your kids, so you need to pay attention,” she said. “White young men between the ages of 13 and 30 are prime targets for these groups. Buying into lies around reverse discrimination or ‘you don’t have a place’ — they are looking for your young person. You need to talk to your kids, your grandkids, about what it can mean to be White in a truly inclusive, multiracial democracy.”
Brooks, an alumna of Confluence’s NCCJ Brotherhood Sisterhood Camp, also hosted an on-stage discussion with four youths who recently participated in the camp, which aims to empower students to build more inclusive communities.
One high school student said she was shocked by the number of hate groups.
“It makes me fearful for my safety and also the safety of my peers,” she said.
Another student said the data left her unsettled.
“I know youth are supposed to be the future, and we are supposed to do something to combat these things, but just seeing the sheer number is crazy to me,” she said. “We need to figure out how to stop all of this.”
A third student, who is Mexican American, recalled a camp activity focused on hateful stereotypes.
“These labels mean absolutely nothing,” he said. “There is a lot of hate in the world — don’t worry about it. You have other people around you. Let’s create a good environment. I was glad to be reassured that these labels mean nothing.”