Black History Month 2026: “Don’t Fight Hate with Hate!”
Day 22
Adding to what’s said in the meme, there are three other reasons why this phrase is ridiculous:
This phrase is only used on the victims of hate and not the perpetrators. No one is telling racists they shouldn’t fight what (they perceive as) hate with hate. Why aren’t these people telling Klansmen they should combat the Great Replacement with love and that burning crosses is “not a productive way to express yourself?” Because that would be ridiculous, and they know it’s ridiculous. The reason they say this kind of stuff to marginalized people is they hope we’re gullible/foolish enough to fall for it. This is especially true of the phrase’s close cousin, “Hate only breeds hate!”
What makes pushing back against racism “hateful?” Why should we listen to someone who considers pushing back against racism “hateful?” In my opinion, them calling your righteous anger at being discriminated against “hate” says way more about them than it does about you.
Most of the people who use this phrase will quote MLK Jr. out of context when they receive pushback. MLK Jr.’s definition of “love” included holding people accountable for their actions, especially their racism. In fact, he would consider being silent about their bigotry an act of hate. To MLK Jr. “fighting hate with hate” would be staying silent while those around you face discrimination. You can read more about this in his book, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community.”
Bonus for the spirited contrarian: Why not fight hate with hate? Let’s say for the sake of argument that you are fighting hate with hate and these people are telling you stop. Why should you? What proof do they have that fighting hate with hate is a bad strategy? If it’s working, what reason do you have to stop doing it? The burden of proof is on the person telling you not to do it!
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