“This book shines light on hate in America. With a resurgence in white supremacy, a rise in hate crimes and the ongoing role of social media in enabling hate to spread, this book could hardly be more timely. A key to defeating extremism and hate is education. Through valuable narrative and vital data, Lonnie Lusardo makes visible what is often invisible.”
Oren Segal, Director, ADL Center on Extremism
“The Anatomy of Organized Hate is a deep dive into the world of former white supremacists and other extremists. It is a vital read for those who want to understand this movement, what motivates it and how extremists get out of it – and for those who are concerned about this movement’s impact on our culture and democracy.”
Heidi Beirich, Intelligence Director, Southern Poverty Law Center
“This book is captivatingly written and fascinating in content with riveting accounts of former extremists and the personal and social circumstances that lured them into the hate movement. The author also explores relationships that enabled these individuals to repudiate their hate-mongering past and devote their lives to assisting others to do likewise. The book provides a factual framework for these personal narratives, detailing historic and current discriminatory actions and ideologies of both government officials and myriad hate groups. Invoking the
impressive work of organizations and professionals who research organized hate,the book offers constructive strategies that every reader can pursue.”
Nadine Strossen, J.D., Author, HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship; Past President, American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008)
“The Anatomy of Organized Hate highlights the reality that not all hate crimes in the U.S. are actually outlawed at the state level, that most hate crime victims never report their experience to police, and that most reports produce no measurable justice. The author explains why most Americans are unaware of the statistics that emerge from this cruel and deceptive gauntlet. Like the individuals profiled here, one solution is for those who hate to reconsider their biases and rededicate themselves to compassion.”
Jason Marsden, Executive Director, Matthew Shepard Foundation
“Lonnie Lusardo has written the definitive exposé, including law enforcement’s abject failure to prevent, or even to report hate crimes. In this extraordinary new book he tells the stories of former extremists convicted of malicious harassment, or crimes committed because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory disabilities. Lusardo asks why a whopping 85 percent of police departments report, year after year, zero hate crimes in their jurisdictions. Is there any wonder why victims of bias crimes profoundly distrust or fear their local police? Read this book, learn what you can do to turn this sad situation around.”
Norm Stamper, Ph.D. Seattle Chief of Police (Ret.)