California communities are once again grappling with the deadly consequences of hate. In May, a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego claimed three lives in a place meant for worship, learning and community.
While this tragedy has deeply impacted our communities, it is not an isolated incident. Hate continues to harm people across identities and communities, whether based on religion, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or other aspects of who they are.
We must recognize the seeds of hate before they take root and take action before they cause harm. As leaders of organizations committed to community-led social change and two of the regional leads for California’s Stop the Hate program — The Center at Sierra Health Foundation in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley, and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties in the border region—we see firsthand how investing in health, equity and strong social change ecosystems can prevent hate before it escalates. And when hate does occur, those same investments make it possible to deliver timely, culturally competent support that helps individuals and communities respond, heal and rebuild.