220 4.3.3.
UNDERSTANDING HATE SPEECH
Objectives This activity aims to: l Improve understanding of different forms of online hate speech and the consequences it has for its victims and society as a whole. l Explore possible responses to online hate speech. Target audience From 15 years old. Group size 10 - 25 participants. Materials l Paper and pens. l Two tables or flipcharts and markers (prepare two tables with the headings ‘Consequences for Victims’ and ‘Consequences for Society’). l Activity support: An example of hate speech (one copy per subgroup). Time Approximately one hour. The Activity l Ask participants what they understand by the term hate speech online. l Ask whether anyone has ever seen hate speech online, either directed towards an individual directly or representatives of particular groups (for example, gays, blacks, Muslins, Jews, women, etc.) What do participants feel when they come across it? How do they think the victims feel? l Explain to participants that the term ‘hate speech’ is used to cover a wide range of content: - Firstly, it covers more than ‘speech’ in the common sense and can be used in relation to other forms of communication such as videos, images and music, and so on. - The term can be used to describe very abusive and even threatening behaviour, as well comments which are ‘merely’ offensive. l Explain to participants that they will analyse some real life examples of hate speech online, looking particularly at the impact on the victims themselves and on society. l Divide participants into groups. Give each group one example of hate speech online. l Invite participants to discuss their case and answer the following questions: - In this example, who are the victims of the hate speech? What are the consequences of the speech for the victims? - What consequences can this example of hate speech have on people who identify with the community the speech targets and on society in general? l Give participants 15 minutes to answer the questions.