Taking North American White Supremacist groups seriously: The scope and the challenge of hate speech on the internet

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael

Abstract

This article aims to address two questions: how does hate speech manifest on North American white supremacist websites; and is there a connection between online hate speech and hate crime? Firstly, hate speech is defined and the research methodology upon which the article is based is explained. The ways that ‘hate’ groups utilise the Internet and their purposes in doing so are then analysed, with the content and the functions of their websites as well as their agenda examined. Finally, the article explores the connection between hate speech and hate crime. I argue that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that speech can and does inspire crime. The article is based in the main on primary sources: a study of many ‘hate’ websites; and interviews and discussions with experts in the field.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2018). Taking North American White Supremacist groups seriously: The scope and the challenge of hate speech on the internet. International journal for crime, justice and social democracy, 7(2), 38-57. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v7i2.517

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 16, 2019
• Journal: International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
• Print ISSN: 2202-7998
• Electronic ISSN: 2202-8005
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 38-57
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v7i2.517
• Keywords: Bigotry; Hate crime; Hate site; Hate speech; Racism; Violence
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/602875
• Publisher URL: https://www.crimejusticejournal.com/article/view/904
• Contract Date: Feb 16, 2018