The California Civil Rights Department’s CA vs Hate initiative held its inaugural Civil Rights Summit on May 11, 2023, in San Francisco, addressing the pervasive issue of hate and promoting community unity.
The California Civil Rights Department’s (CRD) CA vs Hate initiative hosted its first Civil Rights Summit on May 11, 2023, in San Francisco. The event aimed to unite diverse communities to confront hate and promote solidarity across the state.
The summit underscored the alarming prevalence of hate in California while also fostering a spirit of hope through collaboration among community members and stakeholders. Participants shared resources and sought solutions to combat hate effectively.
During the summit, commissioners from the California Commission on the State of Hate, alongside a panel of researchers, presented findings from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), conducted by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research. This commission is dedicated to addressing hate-related issues in California.
Dr. Adrian Bacong of the CRD highlighted three significant findings from the CHIS. Over the past year, approximately 3 million individuals in California reported experiencing acts of hate, which encompasses both hate crimes and non-criminal hate incidents. This statistic translates to about one in ten adults and teens in the state.
In San Francisco specifically, the percentage of individuals who experienced an act of hate reached 12.8%, surpassing the California average of 9.4%. Alameda County also reported higher-than-average figures.
The survey identified race and skin color as the most common motivations for hate acts, with 42% of respondents attributing their experiences to these factors. Other prevalent reasons included ancestry, national origin, language, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Dr. Bacong emphasized the discrepancy between reported hate incidents and actual experiences, noting that national estimates suggest law enforcement data captures only about 3% of hate crime victimizations. This means that only one in 31 hate crime incidents is reported to authorities.
Commissioner Russell Roybal outlined the three-pronged mission of the California Commission for the State of Hate, which includes monitoring hate trends, strengthening responses to hate through recommendations and support systems, and preventing hate by providing guidance to law enforcement and communities.
“We know that California’s efforts to stop hate need to be informed by the wisdom and expertise of the communities of California,” Roybal stated. He added that the commission has issued 42 recommendations across its three annual reports and actively engages with communities statewide.
Dr. Rebecca Goodsell of the CRD addressed the barriers that hinder individuals from reporting hate crimes. She noted that distrust in law enforcement, inadequate accommodations for people with disabilities, and language barriers contribute to underreporting. For many, the normalization of hate has led to a belief that reporting is futile.
To enhance governmental and law enforcement responses to hate incidents, the Commission has examined gaps in handling such cases, including training requirements. Collaborating with the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), the Commission developed a training video based on AB 449, which shares real victim experiences and illustrates effective and ineffective responses to hate crimes.
“The really cool thing was the police officer who showed up — he actually handed me a card for counseling,” recounted a hate crime victim who received support following a physical assault.
Dr. Kevin Thomas of the CRD emphasized the importance of prevention strategies, particularly in K–12 schools. He reported that about 12% of teens in California experienced hate in schools over the past year, with one in four witnessing such incidents. Teachers play a crucial role in identifying and preventing the internalization of hateful ideologies among students.
Strengthening public messaging is another vital aspect of preventing hate. Dr. Thomas explained that community norms significantly influence individuals’ thoughts and behaviors. Promoting anti-hate initiatives as a social norm can effectively mitigate hate.
The recent deadly shooting at an Islamic center in San Diego on May 18, which is being investigated as a hate crime, further emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced anti-hate efforts. The attack resulted in three fatalities and occurred just a week after the CA vs Hate Summit.
Tazheen Nizam, Executive Director of CAIR-San Diego, condemned the violent act, stating, “No one should ever fear for their safety while attending prayers or studying at an elementary school.”
Dina Chehata, Civil Rights Managing Attorney for CAIR-LA, highlighted the rise of Islamophobia and online hate crimes targeting mosques in Southern California. She shared instances of online hate messages directed at Islamic centers, illustrating how anonymity emboldens perpetrators to spread hate and incite violence.
“We’re seeing an uptick in hate and discrimination, a surge across the board,” Chehata noted.
The summit also featured remarks from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, a fireside chat with Bamby Salcedo of the TransLatina Coalition, and discussions on California’s role in developing policies to prevent hate and support victims. Hip-hop artist and activist Ruby Ibarra, along with San Francisco Drag Laureate Per Sia, shared their lived experiences, while Faviana, founder of the Center for Cultural Power, spoke on the necessity of cultural change preceding political change.
For those wishing to report hate crimes or incidents, the California vs. Hate hotline is available at 833-8-NO-HATE or through the CA vs Hate website.
As the summit demonstrated, addressing hate in California requires a collective effort from all sectors of society, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and proactive measures to foster a more inclusive environment.
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