This is our September 2024 Newsletter that went out to our email subscribers. Sign up to receive updates here.
Dear Friend,
With each passing election season, we witness greater, scarier expressions of ideology-based hate. This month, we’ve faced violent extremist groups targeting immigrant populations, amplifying ugly untruths. We’ve seen two attempted assassinations. And we consume a regular stream of hate-based vitriol targeting communities of color, women, and religious groups, among others.
These actions all share much in common. They target individuals because they are seen as different. They unjustly target groups, blaming them for the hater’s place in society. They seek to divide us, painting an us-versus-them scenario responsible for all of our perceived ills. And they promote the stereotypes, untruths, and extremism that drive schisms deeper and deeper into our communities.
They also are responsible for a growing number of people confronting their own biases and hate, turning to Life After Hate for assistance. Since the summer, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of individuals wanting more information on how to exit lives of violent extremism or how to help loved ones trapped in lives of hate.
Now, more than ever before, those in the communities we serve are seeking pathways out of lives of violent extremism. They recognize that second chances are possible if they take responsibility for their hateful words and actions. They know that there is a life after hate … if they put in the work to make amends for their pasts.
These pathways are only possible because of your faith in Life After Hate and the financial support you provide to us. Demand for our services will only continue to increase, particularly as we get closer to November. And we are committed to doing all we can to provide a safer, more tolerant community for all.
Thank you for all you do to make this happen.
– Pat Riccards
LAH Discusses Political Violence on NBC
As NBC News discusses the threat of political violence in the United States, it turned to LAH for insights and perspective.
Watch the segment here.
LAH Featured at Medium Day
Pat Riccards was a featured speaker at Medium Day, an international event hosted by Medium.
Read his remarks here.
The Impact of Ideology-Driven Movies
This summer, the LAH team launched a new series on The Daily Former, examining movies that include violent extremist content, exploring the accuracy and the impact of how ideology-based hate is portrayed.
Listen to the podcast here.
Impact of Social Media Moderation Cuts
The LAH team recently reflected on the impact of cuts imposed by social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) on content moderation.
Read it here.
