Taking North American White Supremacist Groups Seriously: The Scope and the Challenge of Hate Speech on the Internet

Abstract

This article aims to address two questions: (1) How does hate speech manifest on North American white supremacist websites and (2) Is there a connection between online hate speech and hate crime? Section I defines hate speech and explains the research methodology upon which the article is based. Section II analyses the ways that hate groups utilise the Internet and their purposes in doing so, examining the content and the functions of hate sites as well as the agenda of hate mongers. Section III explores the connection between hate speech and hate crime. It is argued 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 close study of dozens of hate websites, and is informed by more than 50 interviews and discussions with experts in the field.

Keywords: bigotry, hate crime, hate site, hate speech, racism, violence

JEL Classification: Z00