The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), founded in 1971 in Montgomery, Alabama, is a pivotal force in combating hate, bigotry, and systemic injustice. In a recent Liticast episode, the SPLC’s mission and recent efforts were highlighted, focusing on their work in prison reform, voting rights, and addressing systemic racism, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. 

SPLC’s mission and evolution

With approximately 350 staff across five southern states and Washington, DC, the SPLC’s mission is to fight hate and advocate for the most vulnerable through litigation, education, and policy advocacy. 

Initially focused on enforcing civil rights legislation, the SPLC has expanded to:

• Track hate groups via the Intelligence Project.
• Advance children’s rights, economic justice, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and prison reform.
• Promote anti-bias education through the Teaching Tolerance program for K-12 educators.

Recent work and victories

The SPLC’s recent efforts address systemic inequities across multiple fronts:

• Prison reform: Ongoing litigation against the Alabama Department of Corrections targets unconstitutional conditions, overcrowding, and inadequate mental health care, yielding significant progress.
• COVID-19 response: Secured releases from unsafe detention facilities to protect vulnerable populations.
• Voting rights: Successfully challenged discriminatory voting barriers, including a Florida law requiring returning citizens (former felons) to pay fines before voting, which the SPLC deemed a modern “poll tax.”

Intersectional justice: Black Lives Matter, COVID-19, and systemic racism

The convergence of the 2020 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests, sparked by the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, has amplified calls for justice. 

The SPLC views police brutality, mass incarceration, and voter suppression as interconnected outcomes of systemic oppression rooted in slavery and Indigenous genocide. 

Key observations:

• Public awareness: Terms like “systemic racism” and “white supremacy culture” are entering mainstream discourse, fostering broader conversations despite discomfort.
• COVID-19 disparities: Black and brown communities face disproportionate health and economic impacts, highlighting existing inequities.

Supporting education and vulnerable populations

Education is central to the SPLC’s mission through the Teaching Tolerance program, which equips K-12 educators with tools to address bias and foster inclusive classrooms. The SPLC also supports:

• Incarcerated education: Advocating for prison education programs to reduce violence and recidivism, addressing the 10,000 monthly appeals from incarcerated individuals.
• Immigrant support: The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative provides legal representation near remote detention centers, ensuring access to justice.

Addressing voter suppression

The SPLC combats voter suppression, exacerbated by COVID-19’s impact on in-person voting (e.g., long lines, health risks). Initiatives include:

• Litigation: Suing for expanded absentee and mail-in voting in restrictive states like Alabama and Louisiana.
• “Your Voice” campaign: A $30 million investment to boost voter registration and turnout among low-propensity and first-time voters in the South.
• Fighting poll taxes: Challenging laws that require returning citizens to pay fines before voting, which disproportionately affect Black and low-income communities.

How individuals and companies can help

For individuals

• Engage authentically: Discuss systemic racism openly, especially among white communities, and believe marginalized voices.
• Educate yourself: Listen to and learn from diverse experiences to deepen understanding.
• Initiate conversations: Take responsibility for starting discussions about racism rather than relying on people of color.

For companies

• Embed DEI: Make diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice integral to organizational culture, not just a temporary response.
• Support causes: Partner with and fund social justice initiatives.
• Foster dialogue: Create spaces for employees to discuss systemic issues and contribute to solutions.

Long-term goals and vision

The SPLC envisions transformative change, including:

• Reduced incarceration: Lower incarceration rates through systemic reform.
• Human-entered public safety: Prioritizing mental health and social services over traditional policing, especially in schools.
• Stronger social safety net: Structural improvements to lift communities out of generational poverty.
• Immigration reform: Permanent protections and dignity for DACA recipients and others facing deportation fears.

The role of 2020 and young people

The SPLC sees 2020 as a turning point, akin to a new civil rights movement, driven by young people but benefiting all. Positive shifts include:

• Public attitude changes (e.g., NASCAR banning Confederate flags).
• Institutional reforms (e.g., renaming schools and military bases). Despite the pandemic’s toll, these developments signal hope for lasting change through collective action.

The SPLC emphasizes that change requires honest reckoning with history, sustained effort, and collective responsibility. They express gratitude to frontline activists and urge continued commitment to justice through listening, learning, and action.

Key quote: “Change requires honesty about uncomfortable truths, collective reckoning with history, and sustained effort at every level.”

Key takeaways

The SPLC’s work in litigation, education, and advocacy addresses systemic inequities while fostering hope for a more just future. 

By supporting initiatives like Teaching Tolerance, fighting voter suppression, and advocating for prison and immigration reform, the SPLC empowers communities and drives change. 

Individuals and organizations can contribute by engaging authentically, embedding DEI, and supporting justice-focused efforts, ensuring that education and advocacy remain at the heart of progress.