When hate comes to town

Rabrenovic, G. (2007). When hate comes to town: Community response to violence against immigrants. American Behavioral Scientist, 51(2), 349-360.

Summary:

Conflict in between certain members of dominant community and Somali immigrants in Lewiston, Maine right after 9/11 attacks. The mayor voiced that many viewed the Somalis as an economic burden, in a plea to the Somali community to discourage other Somali populations to migrate to Lewiston. However the elders of the Somali community had already agreed to do this.

This was a difficult time in the nation where hate towards Muslims and American pride sentiments. There was danger of a dangerous hate group the World Church of the Creators going to Lewiston and the community held a diversity rally. The community response was successful according to three factors.
    1. there is a history of tolerance in the community 2. local leaders do not benefit from the conflict 3. minority group is not perceived as a threat to the majority [4. the leader of the hate group that was planning to come to town was scheduled in court the same day]