Or: how to recognize a hate group in your organization. 1st draft.
Having been subject to a smear campaign for years now (despite having been cleared in investigations), I’ve made some observations about the way these hate driven groups operate. Hope it helps somebody out there. My own opinions. This is a dark topic, get professional advice.
We’ll use a not-me example for some of this. Let us say…. a few individuals who decide to get a woman banned from local bars. Method is the focus here, not the reasoning behind it (bigotry, jealousy etc). Let’s say this society has… strict prohibitions about drug use and they leverage this to launch the attack.
Manufacturing The Campaign
In our example the attackers each go to bar staff and mention they saw a woman doing drugs in the bathroom. They do not identify themselves and leave shortly after. The woman is thrown out of the bar. This action may be repeated elsewhere. A simple setup job.
Talking Points and Pejorative Terminology
The group posts on the local “substance watch” messaging group that the woman has “been thrown out of multiple bars for doing drugs”. They go to other bars the woman frequents and repeat this. If ineffective, they will add on to the list of crimes using loaded terms, “they’re a dangerous drug addict” or “they’re a drug pusher”. They will repeat these talking points at every opportunity, encouraging others to do so as well.
Hide
Communication may be in the form of “whisper campaigns” or on private forums to avoid taking responsibility for their speech. This also minimizes the chance of any effective defense. The victim may not even know what is being said. This is, of course, by design.
Suppression of Exonerating Evidence
The woman’s friends come forward and state that they have never seen them do drugs and one was even in the bathroom with her when accused. The woman produces a negative drug test.
Any contrary information which could jeopardize “The Mission” is summarily ignored, dismissed or otherwise suppressed by the attackers who simply keep repeating the false accusations. Lies of omission, she has never done drugs, the false allegations cannot be substantiated.
Faking Consensus
They post to the “substance watch” group and tell others that the accusations have been “confirmed”. Perhaps even allude to other crimes. They use terminology such as “it’s known” their communications and enlist others to initiate contact with the bars to shore up their campaign.
They Like a Good Show
Nothing like drama to sell your point. Feigning distress, statements like “I don’t feel safe with her here”, storming out with a “I’m not staying here with somebody so dangerous”. Classic salesmanship.
Recognizing a Campaign
It can be tough. The attack may leverage popular societal biases or stereotypes. The manufactured consensus and feigned urgency may lead one to believe quick action is needed. This is purposeful.
Making sure everybody is safe should be your main objective. If the individual is known and the accusations seem out of character, or are disputed by others familiar with the target, you should consider proceeding cautiously. Do not allow your staff to participate or repeat the accusations as this could lead to legal consequences for your organization. If you do not know what to do and/or the accusations are criminal in nature, consider getting advice or contacting the authorities. Pass that buck. These are complex situation very few are qualified to adjudicate. Some disputes can only be worked out through mediation or the courts.