Step 3. Work your way to the message and narrative you want to construct
Counter narratives
De-construct, discredit and demystify violent extremist messages
Counter narratives are a short and direct reaction to hateful messages. They are used to directly de-construct, discredit and demystify violent extremist messages. They are often used as an instrument to block or to challenge concrete expressions of hate. Sometimes they confront another narrative in a rather direct way by referring to it and offering counter arguments and facts.
Counter narratives aim to reach those who may or already sympathise with extremist views, preventing their further involvement, those who already hold extremist views, supporting individuals in changing their views and behaviour. Threats posed by populist, nationalist, racist, and homophobic groups needs a direct answer, a strategy to address the underlying root causes of hate speech, such as negative stereotypes and inequality, and also proposals.
Alternative narratives
Build an alternative mind-set, occupy public space, influence political debates
Alternative narratives do not focus so much on the reaction to single events, but rather work to build an alternative mind-set to sustain the change they want to bring into society. Another important goal is to occupy public space by letting an alternative (coherent and structured) position be heard in public discourse. Alternative narratives strengthen positive, inclusive and constructive ideas and aim to reach the whole population, including producers of hate speech who may be able to become acquainted with a new narrative altogether.
Alternative narratives are actions which aim to undercut hate speech narratives by focusing on what we are “for” rather than what we are “against”. Alternative narratives may not challenge or refer to extremism directly, but instead attempt to influence political debates by proposing alternative proposals and ways of looking into social issues or problems, hence changing the frame of the discussion.
A strong foundation for building your alternative narrative to hate are human rights and democratic standards, principles and values. We therefore often say human rights based counter and/or alternative narratives.
Example of an alternative narrative that unites
This commercial of the Danish public broadcaster TV2, has a short uniting message: we all love Denmark, and implies hence we all love TV2, that serves everyone. The video takes the viewer on a journey towards an alternative to us versus them. It questions stereotyping others and invites us to see the many different personal experiences that shape a person, which are largely universal for everyone.
The video starts with grouping people in boxes, but avoids using known negative stereotypes about the other. Instead the voice-over describes a feeling the viewer could hold about another group, placing the responsibility on the viewer to question their own feelings. For example it say ‘those we trust and those we try to avoid’ rather than terms ‘nurses’ and ‘skinheads’ which are two terms with lots of positive and negative connotations. Then the narrator starts introducing new categories of people by introducing experiences and feelings, such as those that were the class clown or who are step-parents; those who feel lonely and those who are in-love. The video challenges the viewers stereotypes, you see for example that a skinhead can feel lonely, and was bullied at school etc. As the examples of experiences and feelings get more personal, you see the group acknowledging the courage of others and the diversity of characteristics within one person becomes apparent. An individual can be many things, a step-parent, a former bully, believe in after live etc. Then the video concludes with the question, what brings us together. While the commercial proposed love for Denmark it adds ‘and everything we share’. This again invites the viewer to reflect and fill in: What do people around me share with me that brings us together? (clearly an alternative to ‘us’ versus ‘them’)
Example of counter narratives in action
The ‘Bundestrollamt für gegen digitalen Hass’ series (season One & Two) developed by the German No Hate Speech Movement is good example of Counter narratives campaigning.
In each episode a ‘guest’ reads out examples of hate speech they personally received. The "Bundestrollambt" (Federal Civil Servant Against Trolls) comments on the examples debunking inaccuracy and pointing out the illogic of the arguments used by haters. She does so using sarcasm, which is very clear by the way a German civil servant is stereotyped and her acting style.
In this sketch the ‘Guest’ ridicules the first hate speech example by saying ‘Really?’. Through this simple word she is implying: ‘of course I can see who is the dumb person here’. The "Bundestrollambt" addresses the second hate speech example, stressing that Germany is a ‘bear-elderado’ and ‘Footbal champion’, but not a terrorist state. It is implied that there are many reasons to be a proud of Germany, including for German people with headscarves. It is the actually the hater that is terrorising others with hate speech and therefore does not belong to the ‘German parliamentary Democracy’ tradition. This is an example of how the hate argument can be reversed and the behaviour of the person posting hate speech is questioned.
Explanation
So, here is where you need to breath out, count to ten and decide what your message will be. To help you get started, and as a first try you can write down all the first reaction messages. Then take a moment to look at them again and ask yourself the questions for reflection. The discussion around these questions will guide you to the core content of your message to counter the hate.
Breathe out, count to ten
and decide on what
your message will be
If you want to draft an alternative narrative it is important to show through your message a wider spectrum of people who would need to be supported. It is important to show that many people/groups have a similar urgency for alternative and new narratives. It is important to formulate the alternative narrative that can be more inclusive, thus building more proactivity to address issues. It is important to find the different story, that can replace the old and discriminatory one. The alternative message could strive to protect anyone from being targeted. Also, it can call for solidarity with the people usually targeted, and try to build allies. When reflecting about your counter or alternative narrative you want to construct, it is always a good idea to speak to people who have experienced hate speech and could share with you what they would like to see in human rights based narratives. These people can help you choose the write format, the right messages, the right wording. It is also important to mind our language. There are terms, expressions, words that we should try to avoid or be very careful when using while communicating. It is worth making sure you do not reproduce stereotypical and aggressive terms (e.g. use Roma and not gypsy, be careful when labeling influx of refugees as crisis, avoid us versus them phrasing, etc). It is also important to be mindful of the images/sound/video and music used in your messaging. Make sure the images are also following human rights-based narratives and do not contradict your cause.
Questions for reflection
What do you want to do/achieve?
- Counter the hate, or stop the hater, shut them up, challenge their view, show it is irrational, protect people, hold accountable, show the consequences of the hate, etc.
- Provide alternatives: show a different picture, call for inclusion and solidarity in difficult times, appeal to human rights principles and human dignity, promote critical thinking about complex situations, replace a stereotype with a positive image of the ‘other’).
Who is your target audience?
- Are you replying to a hater, or you want to address someone else (peers, friends, the victim(s) general public?)
- How will they understand your message?
How do you want to help the ones who are being /or have been targeted by the hateful message?
What do you know about the group that is targeted by the hate, and how do you want to portray them in your message? What arguments, data, research and facts already exist to help you develop and challenge the generalisations and messages?
What tone and language do you need to use to achieve that?
What do you want people reading your message to do?
Quick start guide to the human rights narrative builder tool
Read more
The "WE CAN! Taking action against hate speech through counter and alternative narratives" explains:
- what a narrative is, it’s components and how it acts as the basis for a compelling message or image: Chapter 4 Narratives, p. 59-74
- What a counter and alternative narratives are and what makes them human rights based: Chapter 5, p. 77- 86
Compass, a manual for Human Rights Education with Young People introduces what human rights principles and values entail in Chapter 4.
Bookmarks, a manual for combating hate speech through human rights education provides a summary of human rights standards, particularly related to hate speech, the internet and freedom of expression. See Bookmarks, Chapter 5.2 – 5.3, p 155-165.
You might decide that other actions might be needed, such as education etc. While the use of human rights narratives are equality relevant in such type of actions, it is worth checking what is the best response, and what works best for your situation.