Lies that immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio have inspired dozens of threats against the town, and toward Haitian-Americans across the nation. On this week’s On the Media, hear how public acceptance of political violence has grown. Plus, how January 6 became a recruiting tool for one of the country’s largest militias.

[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone speaks with Macollvie Neel, special projects editor at The Haitian Times, to talk about the recent wave of rhetoric and threats aimed at the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, and why Neel and other reporters saw it coming.

[13:29] Host Brooke Gladstone interviews Lilliana Mason, Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University, about the growing acceptance of political violence in America, and the reasons behind it.

[27:14] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with Matthew Dallek, a historian and professor of political management at George Washington University, to look at the history of political violence and presidential assassinations.

[37:32] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Joshua Kaplan, reporter at ProPublica, about how one powerful, but largely unseen militia avoided scrutiny after January 6th. And why a day that led many members to quit, turned into a call to arms.

Further reading:

“Haitians in Springfield: A tale of Black immigration in ‘Anytown USA,’” by Macollvie J. Neel
“How to Prevent a Spiral of Political Violence in America,” by Lilliana Mason
“Radical American Partisanship,” by Nathan Kalmoe and Lilliana Mason
“The Fading Line Between Rhetorical Extremism and Political Violence,” by Matthew Dallek
“Political Violence May Be Un-American, but It Is Not Uncommon,” by Matthew Dallek and Robert Dallek
“Armed and Underground: Inside the Turbulent, Secret World of an American Militia,” by Joshua Kaplan

On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

We’re Going to Be Less Fatigued in 2024