Peer Review

Imagery of Hate Online

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Feb 1, 2026 by Sociology

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

Imagery of Hate Online is a scholarly edited volume that examines how hate ideologies are communicated and normalized through visual and multimodal content in digital environments. As online communication increasingly relies on images, memes, and videos, this book explores how these formats are used to convey harmful stereotypes and exclusionary narratives, often in ways that evade traditional content moderation or public scrutiny.

The volume brings together interdisciplinary contributions from experts in media studies, communication, sociology, linguistics, and digital humanities. It offers both theoretical frameworks and empirical case studies to analyze the structure, spread, and social impact of visual hate speech. Through in-depth examinations of digital artifacts—such as manipulated images and viral memes—it illuminates how hate speech can be disguised as humor, irony, or cultural commentary, complicating efforts to identify and address it.

Imagery of Hate Online seeks to provide information about the historical understandings of hate imagery and the contemporary challenges posed by its digital evolution. It provides readers with analytical tools to identify and interpret the complex ways in which hate is communicated visually, often under the guise of humor, satire, or cultural commentary. In doing so, the collection offers nuanced frameworks for distinguishing between legitimate critique and hate-based narratives, ultimately equipping scholars, educators, policymakers, and digital communicators with the insights needed to counter visual hate and foster more inclusive, informed online environments.

Type of Material:

It is an Open (Access) Textbook. Edited academic volume (Decoding Visual Hate) that compiles interdisciplinary research and case studies on the role of visual and multimodal communication in the spread of hate ideologies online.

Recommended Uses:

This book offers resources that would be used in a course textbook or supplement for media and communication studies, digital humanities, sociology, cultural studies, visual culture, political communication, and internet or platform studies.

Technical Requirements:

Internet. HTML, PDF and EPUB available.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

To examine how visual and multimodal expressions (e.g., memes, images, videos) are used to communicate hate ideologies in digital environments.
To analyze the normalization process of visual hate speech in online public spheres.
To provide theoretical and empirical frameworks for distinguishing legitimate critique from hate-based narratives.
To understand the social and cultural impacts of multimodal hate discourse.
To equip readers with analytical tools for critically evaluating and countering visual hate.

Target Student Population:

Undergraduate and graduate students in communication, sociology, media studies, political science, cultural studies, and related disciplines.
Faculty and researchers working on digital communication, online extremism, or multimodal analysis.
Policymakers, educators, and advocacy groups interested in online safety, inclusivity, and countering hate speech.
Special interest groups focusing on media literacy, human rights, and digital governance.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic understanding of communication theory, media studies, or sociology.
Familiarity with digital culture and online platforms (e.g., memes, social media).
Prior exposure to critical theory or discourse analysis is recommended but not essential.
For professional audiences (e.g., policymakers, educators), an interest in digital safety, governance, or inclusion is helpful.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Content is clear and concise, with each section being separated by a heading and an abstract. It provides a complete demonstration of the concepts with theological application and illustrations. It is flexible (can be used in several situations) with multiple formats available. All content is labeled with appropriate attribution and full references.

Concerns:

While the content is academically rigorous, additional pedagogical tools (e.g., discussion questions, reflective exercises, or guided activities) could enhance its usability in teaching settings.
The text could benefit from more visual summaries (infographics, charts, or conceptual maps) to complement the discussion of multimodal communication.
Some chapters may require further contextualization for non-specialist audiences, particularly policymakers or educators unfamiliar with media studies jargon.
Expanded comparative perspectives (e.g., cross-cultural case studies on digital hate) could make the analysis more globally relevant.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Each chapter clearly outlines its learning objectives in the abstract and reinforces key concepts through well-chosen keywords and end-of-chapter summaries. The consistent structure across chapters makes the volume easy to navigate and integrate into curriculum design and assignments. Its uniform layout, paired with concise abstracts and summaries, contributes to its effectiveness and efficiency as a textbook.

Concerns:

The volume does not specify any prerequisite knowledge that would support reader comprehension. Because each chapter is authored independently, concepts are not reinforced progressively throughout the text. Instead, each chapter functions as a standalone contribution, with limited integration into a broader, cohesive narrative.

The inclusion of learning activities (e.g., guided analyses of memes, reflection prompts, or classroom exercises) would increase hands-on application for students.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The resource is available for download in multiple formats, offering flexibility for users. Each chapter includes minimal graphics and is presented in a clean, well-organized layout. The abstract is highlighted in green, which draws attention to it and provides a clear visual cue. This consistent design choice helps distinguish each chapter while maintaining a cohesive and uniform appearance throughout the volume.

Other Issues and Comments:: None. Resources are timely and recent, with some exceptions for theological inclusion.
Creative Commons: