brilliant mistake

At first, it always seems like a good idea.

brillmiss at gmail dot com
September 7

Most Hate by State

The Hate Map from the Southern Poverty Law Center covered in my last post indicates that California has the largest number of hate groups out of all the states (84). So are we really the hatey-est of all? Or just the best organized? Or, more likely, our large population gives the impression we are angrier and/or better organized than we truly are. Looking at the number of hate groups per capita, we’re not even in the top 10

Top 10 Most Hateful States, per capita*

  1. District of Columbia (13.5)
  2. South Carolina (10.0)
  3. Alabama (7.7) (tied)
  4. West Virginia (7.7) tied
  5. Mississippi (7.5)
  6. Arkansas (7.0)
  7. Montana (6.2)
  8. Tennessee (6.1)
  9. Oklahoma (5.2)
  10. Missouri (5.1)

Hey DC, why so angry? Although given the number of Christian Anti-Gay lobbying groups that seem to have a stranglehold on our government, that number may be an underestimate. Similarly, I’m a little suspicious of the bottom 10, as Hawaii and Alaska are both listed as having zero hate groups. Zero, really? I know we’re all a little more surprised that Alaska has none than Hawaii.

Top 10 Least Hateful States, Per Capita*

  1. Hawaii (0) (tied)
  2. Alaska (0) (tied)
  3. New Mexico (0.5)
  4. Maine (0.8)
  5. New York (1.2)
  6. Connecticut (1.4)
  7. Minnesota (1.5)
  8. North Dakota (1.6)
  9. Wisconsin (1.78) (tied)
  10. Illinois (1.78) (tied)

*number of hate groups per 1 million people. Population from 2008 estimates. Hate group number from Southern Poverty Law Center