What impact is the election having on hate speech?

In the wake of former President Donald Trump’s reelection to the White House, some Americans say they’re seeing disturbing rhetoric and hate speech online. Women have reported receiving an increase in comments like “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” on social media.

And Black Americans across the country received racist text messages last week telling them they had been “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”

Authorities are still working to figure out who is behind the messages. What effect is the election having on our rhetoric, especially in an already polarized political environment?

We put those questions to sociologist Cynthia Miller-Idriss. She's the founding director of The Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab at American University, which works to prevent radicalization before it turns into violence.