Hate speech remains largely invisible simply because people do not know where to report the cases or even understand that they are victims of hate speech. Education will help with that.
Impunity against hate crimes can be tackled by establishing monitoring and evaluation in newsrooms. Monitoring hate speech trends, compiling reports and bringing these to the attention of key institutions and the society.
Another way we can fight hate speech is by speaking up about equality, inclusivity, and diversity. Some refer to this method as counterspeech. The more we can undermine hate speech with positive words, logical arguments, and the truth, the more that hate speech will lose its power.
Adopt an understanding of the root causes and drivers of hate speech in order to take action to best address and/or mitigate impact. Show solidarity with victims of hate speech and implement human rights-centered measures which aim at countering hate speech and the escalation of violence.
How someone reacts can help as well. Do not target the speaker, but the content of the statement. Refute false claims with facts. Refer to reliable sources (not YouTube). Express disbelief and displeasure, but do not get involved in pointless 'is-not'/'is-so' arguments and insults (when the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser). Be aware that certain messages are published or said with the intention to provoke. So don't let yourself get carried away in an emotional and hateful tirade. Stick to a calm statement. Their words only have the power you let them have.
If someone says something hateful, you can ask him or her why they feel that way. This gives a person a moment to think about what they just said (and possibly recognize how wrong it was) and creates the opportunity for a conversation about how we form our bias and stereotypes.
I understand the anger that can happen from being on the receiving end of hate speech. I was bullied all through school (at 6'3" now most people don't believe me), and being a Pagan, I have heard my fair-share. But that hate only has the power you give it. There are legal barriers to combating hate speech (which is why groups like the KKK have not been labeled a terrorist organization), but as a people, we can do our part to fight it. Will we ever get completely rid of it? Probably not, but we can do our best.
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