The opposite of hate : a field guide to repairing our humanity

**“A stunning debut by a truly gifted writer--an eye-opening read for both liberals and conservatives—and it could not come at a better time.”--Adam Grant, __New York Times__ bestselling author of __Option B__, with Sheryl Sandberg, and __Originals__** CNN’s Sally Kohn has a talent for making friends across the political aisle. While establishing herself as a leading progressive voice as a commentator on Fox News, she went head-to-head with her colleagues on divisive issues, engaging in heated arguments but also developing unexpected friendships. But since the 2016 election and the epidemic of hate that surrounded it, Kohn began to wonder: Where did all this hate come from and how can we get beyond it? Drawing upon cutting-edge research from psychology, sociology, and the neurosciences, and from examples in history and even today’s twitter trolls, Kohn uncovers the evolutionary and cultural roots of hate in its most subtle and obvious forms--from implicit bias to racism to genocide. She travels across the country and worldwide for exclusive interviews with fascinating and inspiring people who have left hate behind, including a former white supremacist who is now a practicing Buddhist and a former Palestinian terrorist who now works with Israelis to forge understanding and peace. With her trademark humor, intelligence, and wit, Kohn boldly confronts her own prejudices and suggests that we all share some responsibility. She offers concrete tools for combating the crisis of hate sweeping our nation, showing readers the power of connection and our shared humanity. At a moment when bitter partisan politics have divided Americans, __The Opposite of Hate__ is a thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful look at one of the most pressing issues of our time. At a moment when we are facing an epidemic of incivility and hate, popular CNN commentator Sally Kohn sets out to discover why we hate and how we can inoculate ourselves. Divisive political speech, online trolling, and hate crimes are escalating, and in our current political climate so many of us are seething at the other side. As a progressive commentator on Fox News and now CNN, Sally Kohn has made a career out of bridging intractable political differences and remaining good-natured in the face of intense provocation. But these days even Kohn has found herself wanting to breathe fire at her enemies. It was time, she decided, to look into the subject. In The Opposite of Hate , Kohn talks to leading scientists and researchers, investigating the evolutionary and cultural roots of hate and how simple incivility might lead to more dangerous acts. She travels to Rwanda, the Middle East, and across the United States, introducing us to former terrorists, former white supremacists, and even some of her own reformed Twitter trolls, drawing surprising lessons from some of the most dramatic examples of leaving hate behind. As Kohn boldly confronts her own shameful moments, whether its the girl she bullied in school or her own contribution to her daughters negative attitudes, she points the way toward change. Her hopeful message: While we all have the potential to hate, we also all have the capacity to combat it. It turns out that the opposite of hate is not love. Its the understanding of how hate operates, how its fostered, and how easily we fall into its grip. The Opposite of Hate offers the tools to move forward together. Television Commentator Sally Kohn Talks To Leading Scientists And Researchers To Investigate The Evolutionary And Cultural Roots Of Hate, And Confronts Her Own Shameful Moments And Points The Way Toward Change With The Hopeful Message That We All Have The Capacity To Combat Hate-- Introduction: What Is Hate; The Bully -- Why We Hate: The Trolls -- How We Hate: The Former Terrorist -- Hating Is Belonging: The Ex-white Supremacist -- Unconscious Hate: The Trump Supporter -- When Hate Becomes Pandemic: The Genocide -- Systems Of Hate: The Big Picture -- Conclusion: The Journey Forward. Sally Kohn. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 241-262). "Television commentator Sally Kohn talks to leading scientists and researchers to investigate the evolutionary and cultural roots of hate, and confronts her own shameful moments and points the way toward change with the hopeful message that we all have the capacity to combat hate"-- Provided by publisher