Almost everyone has encountered hate on social media, but understanding why it spreads, what it does, and how to push back is complicated. Because social media sites feel so familiar to us, it can sometimes be hard to identify hateful messaging—especially when it comes from or is shared by people we know or admire. 

This workshop is based on the premise that while bad actors are the primary culprits of hate on social media, all of us need to be vigilant in ensuring we are pushing back and not compounding the problem by sharing content that is insidiously hateful.  

It explores the rhetorical tactics that hate promoters use to insert their messaging into non-hateful spaces, as well as the specific impacts of social media hate on different groups. 

Our workshops are intended to complement—not replace—anti-racist education.

What to Expect

Participants will learn about: 

• Hallmarks of Hate
• Hate and conspiracy theories and how they intersect
• Recruitment vectors and factors
• Critical concepts (eg. irony poisoning, red pilling) 
• Rhetorical devices used by hate movements (eg. propaganda, information disorder, “flooding the zone,” dogwhistles)
• Leveraging your skills and networks
• Ways to leverage local grassroots efforts outside your union in the fight against hate

Workshop Length

This workshop is 1 hour. 

Audience

This workshop is ideal for everyone.