At least three members of the current U.S. Congress have promoted a conspiracy theory centered on a cabal of Satan-worshiping, cannibalistic, child abusers that includes Democratic politicians, Hollywood actors and business tycoons.
The leaked membership of a violent anti-government militia group that led the January 6th Insurrection included 81 people who either held or were running for public office in 2022, 373 believed to be serving in law enforcement, and 117 believed to be active-duty military.
Restrictions on teaching the history of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement have grown so stringent that students planning a Black History Month in Alabama could not include events prior to 1970.
The 18-year-old white supremacist who opened fire in a Buffalo supermarket, killing 10 people and wounding three, was motivated by belief in the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory foolishly promoted by media figures.
The mainstreaming of extremist ideology is an existential threat to American democracy, the rule of law, and decades of hard-won progress toward an equitable, inclusive, more perfect union. No longer limited to passing out mimeographed leaflets on street corners or huddling in corners of the dark web, conspiracy-mongers and white nationalists openly spew their bile across social media and cable television. They weave it into the public policy they impose on their constituents. It corrodes the trust between police and the military and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.
Using data and analysis from our research partners, Southern Poverty Law Center, ADL, and UCLA Law, this year’s State of Black America® reveals just how deeply extremist ideology has seeped into America’s most vital institutions, resulting in an ever-rising tide of deadly violence, oppressive laws, and weaponized racial polarization.
In the wake of the Buffalo massacre, the National Urban League and other social justice organizations urged President Biden to convene a summit to confront violent extremism and develop a whole-of-society response. The United We Stand Summit in September marked the first step on that journey.
It cannot be the last.
