State of Hate in Greater Buffalo: A Community Perspective

Abstract

In a time of increased hate, understanding hate in the immediate world that surrounds us has become essential to engaging with greater society. This report discusses hate and inter-community relations in the Buffalo-Niagara region of Western New York, one of the most segregated metros in the nation and the second most densely populated area in New York State. Data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) indicate that hate and hate crimes, specifically antisemitic hate crimes, maintain a pervasive presence in Buffalo-Niagara. To address antisemitism, Buffalo-Niagara’s Jewish community has successfully come together with the help of community organizations. Their model of addressing hate can be applied more generally across the region. Interviews with 18 community members and leaders were conducted to gather insights into intra-community realities and inter-community relations of living in Buffalo-Niagara. These insights reflect lacking measures for anti-hate action within communities and, in many cases, non-existent relationships between communities. This report thus seeks to serve as a resource for community members to identify allies across Buffalo-Niagara that seek to develop inter-community relationships and address hate in all its forms. Knowledge of reporting mechanisms and organizations across Buffalo-Niagara will enable the region’s communities to find allyship among one another, promote mutual respect, facilitate cultural understanding, and unearth common ground that will undercut and contribute to driving out hate. Lists and maps of these organizations have been generated and included below using information collected through interviews as well as online listings. The report closes with final takeaways to keep in mind moving forward.