items of interest

with contributions from Stacia Brown

A GROWING NUMBER of hate-based Web sites are being reported by those who are watching the movement of white supremacists and similar groups from street marches to cyberspace. Their concern is that hateful messages against other races, lifestyles, and religions will influence young people who stumble on the sites. Since religion is often used as the justification for hating Jews, African Americans, and others, these sites seem particularly poisonous.

One answer is a new software filter that acts as a gatekeeper and prevents access to antisemitic and other hate sites from a home or office computer. Other ways to defend one's community are through teaching tolerance at home and in public venues, and through looking within oneself for prejudices and stereotypes that need to be eliminated.

Reported by Stacia Brown
"Virtual Hate"
Sojourners
September/October 2000

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