Hate in the Headlines 

 
Inspired by an event hosted by education experts from the 
American Federation of Teachers, Teaching Tolerance, the 
Anti-Defamation League and Facing History and Ourselves 
after the events in Charlottesville, we will discuss key 
findings about how to successfully facilitate these 
discussions.   

 
Diversity & Inclusion Committee 
11/10/17 

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Pyramid of Hate  
By the Anti-Defamation League 

The Pyramid of Hate presents a visual image to demonstrate how the seeds of hate, 
once planted, can grow from biased ideas to hate violence. The following is provided to 
assist in presenting the concept of the tendency of hate to escalate when unchecked.  

Level One: Acts of Bias  

The base of the pyramid describes actions based on biased IDEAS—things we see and 
hear in everyday settings. These include things like rumors, stereotypes, or insensitive 
remarks. Many describe these behaviors as “just a joke” or comment that it “doesn’t 
bother anyone, so what’s the big deal?” Biased ideas that begin with a simple stereotype 
about a group can easily grow into sustained feelings about the group.  

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Level Two: Acts of Prejudice  

Based on biased ideas, we then form prejudicial FEELINGS and ATTITUDES about a 
group which can lead to bullying, scapegoating, ridicule, and name-calling. Prejudice 
moves the biased IDEA that “All those people are lazy and stupid” to the 
FEELING/ATTITUDE that “I don’t like or trust those people.”  

Level Three: Acts of Discrimination  

Once prejudicial FEELINGS/ATTITUDES have taken hold, discriminatory ACTION can 
follow, which includes harassment, social exclusion or other discriminatory acts. 
Discrimination moves the prejudicial ATTITUDE “I don’t like or trust those people” to 
discriminatory ACTIONS, “I won’t hire those people to work in my store.” “I won’t let those 
people live in my neighborhood.” Once hate has progressed up the bottom three levels 
of the pyramid, it is not a far step to move from ACTIONS to Acts of Violence….  

Level Four: Acts of Bias-Motivated Violence  

When discrimination is unchecked, acts of bias-motivated VIOLENCE can occur in 
schools and communities, including desecration of property, threats and assaults, but 
also arson, terrorism, vandalism and shootings.  

Level Five: Genocide  

The top level of the pyramid is Genocide, the act of or intent to deliberately and 
systematically annihilate an entire people. The Pyramid of Hate demonstrates how ideas, 
feelings/attitudes and actions can form a basis for the denial of justice. Although not 
every act of bias will lead to genocide, it is important to realize that every historical 
instance of genocide began with the acts of bias described on the lowest level.  

The most effective time to take action is when we witness behaviors that fall 
within the lowest level of the pyramid. We can safeguard our schools and 
communities by modeling respect, promoting respectful behavior in others 
and engaging in efforts to stamp out hate.  
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Additional Resources  
Hate in the Headlines 
 
Articles: Talking to Kids About News 
1. Explaining   the   News   to   Our   Kids   (C
  ommon   Sense   Media ) 

Dramatic,   disturbing   news   events   can   leave   parents   speechless.   These   age-based   tips 
on   how   to   talk   to   kids   about   the   news   -  and   listen,   too   -  can   help. 

2. Talking   to   your   kids   about   trauma   (G
  reater   Good   Science   Center   at   UC   Berkeley ) 

Nine   Tips   for   Talking   to   Kids   about   Trauma.   After   a  tragedy   like   the   Paris   attacks,   kids 
will   have   questions.   How   do   we   respond?   Want   more?   ...15   additional   resources   are 
linked   at   the   bottom   of   this   page   related   to   talking   to   your   kids   about   trauma. 

3. How   to   talk   to   your   kids   about   Trump  (  G
  reater   Good   Science   Center   at   UC   Berkeley ) 

The   GOP   candidate   is   creating   fear   and   confusion   in   children,   especially   kids   of   color. 
Here   are   three   suggestions   for   talking   with   kids   about   race   and   racism   in   the   media.* 

*   Please   note   this   article   was   published   BEFORE   the   election,   but   it   still   offers   some 
valuable   insights. 

4. Ways   to   reduce   racial   bias   in   children   (G
  reater   Good   Science   Center   at   UC   Berkeley ) 

How   do   we   combat   racial   prejudice?   New   research   reveals   how   parents   influence   the 
formation   of   bias   in   children. 

5. I’m   a  Teacher   in   Charlottesville.   And   this   is   how   I’ll   talk   to   students   about   what 
happened   (C   hicago   Tribune ) 

A   resource   directed   at   teachers,   but   with   some   helpful   advice   about   listening,   creating 
space   for   grieving   and   showing   your   own   vulnerability   and   humanity   that   could   apply 
at   home   as   well. 

6. How   to   Cultivate   Belonging   in   a  Divided   Culture   (G
  reater   Good   Science   Center   at   UC 
Berkeley ) 

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Brené   Brown's   new   book   explores   how   our   society   can   move   past   shame   and   hate 
toward   empathy,   connection,   and   true   belonging. 

This   review   about   the   book,  B
  raving   the   Wilderness ,  explains   the   “crisis   of   belonging” 
along   with   what   Brown   defines   as   four   keys   to   true   belonging.   Not   necessarily   directly 
applicable   to   conversations   with   children,   but   some   thoughtful   observations   for   us 
nonetheless. 

7. Talking   with   Kids   about   News   (P
  BS ) 

This   resource   is   specifically   dedicated   to   considering   how   to   talk   with   preschool   age 
children   (ages   3  -  5)   about   the   news.   The   article   also   includes   information   about   how 
to   assess   whether   your   child   had   been   affected   by   news   they’ve   heard   about   or   seen 
(revealing   whether   they   have   been   exposed   to   the   information   or   not).  

8. Gun   violence   and   mass   shootings   (A
  nti-Defamation   League ) 

Informative   article   offering   a  “topic   summary”   that   shares   facts   and   information   about 
various   mass   shootings   and   the   different   perspectives   people   have   about   gun   laws   and 
rights.   There   are   also   questions   you   might   pose   to   your   children   in   a  discussion 
centered   around   this   topic,   as   well   as   ideas   for   taking   action.   Additional   resources 
linked   at   the   bottom   of   web   page. 

9. Empowering   Young   People   in   the   Aftermath   of   Hate   (A
  nti-Defamation   League ) 

What   Educators   and   Family   Members   Can   Do:   A  resource   explaining   how   to   have 
difficult   family   conversations   at   home   about   Hate   Incidents,   Terrorism   and 
Bias-Motivated   Violence.   Includes   ground   rules   for   discussion,   recommendations   and 
even   lesson   plans. 

10. Ten   Ways   to   Fight   Hate:   A  Community   Response   Guide   (Southern   Poverty   Law   Center) 

Hate   in   America   has   become   commonplace.   What   can   we   do   to  s  top   the   hate? 

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Key Vocabulary 
 
Bias:   

An inclination or preference for or against an individual or group that 

interferes with impartial judgement. 

Stereotype:   

The false idea that all members of a group are the same and think and 
behave in the same way 

Prejudice:   

Judging or forming an idea about someone or a group of people before you 

actually know them.  

Discrimination:   

Unfair treatment of one person or a group of people because of their 

identity.  

➔ Discrimination is an action that can come from prejudice 

Bias-Motivated Violence:   

An action that emotionally or physically harms a person or group and that 

is motivated by the identity of the person or group 

Hate Crime:   

A criminal act directed at a person or group because of the victim’s real or 
perceived race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, sexual 
orientation, or ability 

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