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Life After Hate is an American nonprofit organization co-founded in 2011 by Christian Picciolini, a former neo-Nazi. Its mission is to help people leave hate groups, particularly white supremacy groups. In January 2017, the Obama administration awarded the group $400,000 as part of a grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Violent Extremism Task Force. However, DHS advisor Katharine Gorka and other aides of President Donald Trump decided to discontinue the grant in June 2017. A crowdfunding campaign established after the Charlottesville attack has raised $429,500 to go towards the organization.

History
Angela King is a Co-Founder’s and Programs Director of the non-profit organization Life After Hate. Angela herself is an ex white supremacist who struggled to find solidarity after living years as an neo-nazi. Angela grew up in Southern Florida, raised by her two parents who she describes as racist and homophobic. Angela succumbed to hate groups in her early teens, after being bullied throughout school and battling with tensions within her home life. She found these people welcomed her aggressive and violent tendencies. After 8 years of being involved with extremist groups, she had to serve time where she met Jamaican woman who helped her confront her past and beliefs in white supremacy. Angela became a co-founder of Life After Hate after finding a blog online and teaming up with other ex-extremists to make it a non-profit to be an outreach to those to recover and also speak out.

Christian Picciolini is a Co-Founder of Life After Hate, and prominent member in ex-extremist community. Originally an Chicago native, Christian grew up in Blue Island, IL. Christian at the age of 14 was first introduced to Neo-nazi groups. The idea of being involved with a movement that was bigger than himself was intriguing. Christian recalls becoming a skinhead made him feel like he had a true identity and true purpose of saving the white race. It was not until seven years later at the age of 22 when he questioned his beliefs and membership. After losing his wife and kids and beginning to interact with people he thought he hated, he realized that he needed to separate himself from a life of hate.

By 2009, he co-founded Life After Hate with the mission of helping former neo-Nazis like himself change their world views.

Programs
ExitUSA ExitUSA is an organization that specializes in disengagement of individuals who were previously involved in hate groups and reintegrating them back into society as full functioning individuals that are capable of obtaining jobs and building healthy relationships within their communities. ExitUSA continues to use social media to help the ex-radicals deny their previous beliefs. “Asked about “the Trump effect,” Picciolini said the president’s election has emboldened the white supremacist movement. Calls to ExitUSA, a program through Life After Hate, have gone up from two or three per week before the election to 15-20 per week, he said.”

Formers Anonymous

Similar to Alcohol Anonymous, this is a 12 step self-help program created by Sammy Rangel to help people deal and move on with violent pasts and racist actions.

#WeCounterHate

In partnership with Possible, a company based in Seattle, Life After Hate created a social media business to spread messages of love to combat the hateful comments often displayed. The program uses computers that specialize in detecting hateful tweets. Once detected, #WeCounterHate sends a message to the author of the hateful tweet saying that a dollar will be donated to Life After Hate for every retweet that occurs. After the message is sent, many delete the original post and other will not share it.

Current Events
Charlottesville

When life after hate founder, Christian Picciolini was asked on his opinion of the recent tragedy that took place in Charlottesville he mentioned it wasn’t a surprise to him because he was aware that although many extremist group seemed to disappear to the public, they were actively growing underground. He went on to explain that most extremist do not join the group because they believe in the same ideology, it is just an excuse to act out in anger because they are searching for other human needs to be satisfied.

Grant Repeal

During the Obama administration, Life after hate was awarded a $400,000 grant to combat extremist groups. The grant was revoked by the Trump administration due to what homeland security explained as a normal review process. An individual close to the Trump administration however reported that the grant was rescinded based on twitter post made by Christian Picciolini regarding President Trump.

Colin Kaepernick Donation

Colin Kaepernick who was fired from the NFL in 2017 due to his personal activism during the National Anthem, is still without an occupation. He may not currently have a career but he takes part in Life After Hate. He recently donated a sum of money to this organization because of his relevance to the program.

An interview took place between The Chronicle of Higher Education and former neo-nazi Chrisitan Picciolini. In this insert he explains his past actions, and how they have lead him to the life that he demonstrates today. The main discussion exemplifies how young minds, especially in their college years should examine unjust/uncommon situations. Picciolini explains that there is a fine line between seeing something and taking an action. It is essential to take everything into perspective and analyze every situation before coming to a conclusion.