Be Proactive

Stand UP for your community!

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The topics of hate and hate-based violence can feel overwhelming and scary.

However, all it takes is one brave upstander to make a difference. Each Upstander action that you take, no matter how small, contributes to a safer, kinder world.

Remember that hateful ideas can hide behind jokes, funny videos, memes, and comments about peopleโ€™s identities. You might face peer pressure to laugh at or agree with something hateful. Itโ€™s hard to disagree with your friends. However, a true friend will respect you for sharing your opinion. When you decide to stand up to hate, youโ€™re making your community safer for everyone.

In addition to reacting to acts of hate, you can be proactive. If you create a more positive and welcoming community, you can stop hate before it even starts. Reach out to someone sitting alone at lunch or help a classmate who is struggling with a homework assignment. These small acts of kindness strengthen protective factors.

A protective factor protects someone from turning to violence. These protective factors are important for community safety and wellbeing.

Protective Factors

(but are not limited to):
  • Friendships and social support
  • Doing well in school
  • Access to medical care and mental health services
  • Having a faith community
  • Living in a connected community
  • Living in a community that doesnโ€™t tolerate violence
  • Connecting with safe adults

If someone doesnโ€™t have all these protective factors in their life, that does not mean that they will become violent. Donโ€™t assume that someone who seems lonely or makes bad grades is dangerous. Most people never turn to violence

These protective factors help someone to have a healthy, good life. Most importantly, remember that you have the power to help a peer who might be missing some of these protective factors!

WAYS YOU CAN STRENGTHEN EACH PROTECTIVE FACTOR

  • Branch out and make new friends.
  • Befriend someone who seems lonely.
  • Stand up for someone being bullied orย cyberbullied.
  • Consider becoming a tutor for another student.
  • Talk to your teachers about how you can help struggling students.
  • Start a study group.
  • Encourage someone to see school counselor.
  • Be curious about the beliefs of your classmate or coworkers.
  • Offer to include your friends in your faith community.
  • Talk to members of your faith community about the importance of welcoming new people.
  • Attend school and community events; bring someone new with you to community events.
  • Volunteer for community organizations.
  • Bring your friends to volunteer days.
  • Organize a trash clean up and invite your whole grade.
  • Talk to your friends about upending hate and hate-based violence.
  • Step in when someone is being bullied.
  • Build relationships with teachers, coaches, counselors, or mentors.
  • Encourage your friends to build similar relationships.
  • Invite friends to your house to hangout.

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This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-23-GPD-067-00-01.

Eradicate Hate Global Summit
500 Grant Street, Suite 4500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2514
info@eradicatehatesummit.org

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