Tendayi Achiume, an independent United Nations human rights expert who tracks racism and related intolerance, worries that in recent years there has been a “revealing” of all kinds of performances. former language is marginal. from anti-Semitism, to anti-black racism and anti-Muslims.
She warned: “Divination and problems at the global and planetary levels are all interconnected, and we may not have the time that previous generations have had to tackle these issues first. when our system really engulfs us.
Achiume is one of many experts we’ll listen to in the eight-part first installment of UNiting Against Hate, the latest series of UN Podcasts, launching Wednesday, December 7.
Disadvantaged minorities are often easy targets of hate speech: in exploring this, we hear Yashica Dutt, author of ‘Coming Out as Dalit’, speak about abuse the extreme online use she suffered, when she revealed that she came from the lowest of castes in India, pejoratively described as “untouchables” who still have to face prejudice and abuse in the country.
A difficult problem to define
Difficulties in defining a single definition of hate speech and problems in regulating it and preserving freedom of expression are also discussed. Journalist Martina Mlinarevic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Czech Republic, describes the threats and insults she received online for writing about politics and gender issues in her country.
“I had to move with a young child to another city due to cyberbullying and intimidation. It was the hardest and saddest part for me running away from my hometown, where I lived for 37 years,” Mlinarevic said.
But there are also many positive stories to share in this podcast, which highlights the work of organizations fighting hate speech, online and offline. There are no easy answers, but this series raises many questions that hopefully contribute to a discussion that has ramifications important to all societies.
You can find unite against hate above Apple podcasts, Spotify, molded box, sound cloud or wherever you get your podcast.
