What is Hate?

Hate is more than just strong dislike—it’s a destructive force that dehumanizes, divides, and harms individuals and communities. Understanding its roots and impact is the first step in combating it.

Explore the Definition

Understanding the Roots

Hate emerges from fear, ignorance, and systemic power imbalances. It targets identities such as race, religion, gender, disability, or political belief—aiming to exclude, oppress, or destroy.

"Hate is not a spontaneous emotion; it's often a learned behavior rooted in historical and social contexts."

— Dr. Lena Morales, Chief Vision Officer, Engota

Types of Hate

Racial Hate

Targeting individuals based on ethnic or national background using slurs, stereotypes, or exclusionary practices.

Sexual Orientation Hate

Derogatory language or violence against people based on their LGBTQ+ identity or perceived orientation.

Religious Hate

Blaming or attacking individuals due to their faith or non-faith beliefs, often through vandalism or threats.

Gender-Based Hate

Shaming or violence directed against people based on gender expression or perceived compliance with gender norms.

Disability Hate

Mocking or excluding individuals based on physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental disabilities.

Political Hate

Using hate speech to vilify or dehumanize people based on their political affiliations or beliefs.

Real-Life Manifestations

Online Hate Speech

Social media posts, targeted harassment, or spreading misinformation to harm individuals or groups.

Physical Attacks

Threats of violence, vandalism of property, or direct aggression based on identity, often in public areas.

Systemic Discrimination

Laws, policies, or social structures that systematically disadvantage specific groups in housing, jobs, or legal contexts.

Cultural Erasure

Deliberate destruction of cultural heritage or denial of cultural histories to maintain harmful power dynamics.

Stand Up to Hate

Understanding is only the start. Learn how to identify dangerous patterns and get tools to take meaningful action.