Hate speech as a threat to cultural cohesion of contemporary multicultural societies

The article presents the idea of social cohesion and its implementation in diverse and multicultural societies or societies in transition, such as the Polish community. It also explores the phenomenon of hate speech in racial contexts or against migrants, both voluntary and involuntary, and tries to draw the conditions in which hateful language can interfere with the integration processes within such societies, affecting social cohesion. The role of institutionalized xenophobia and nationalistic attachment are discussed as part of the problem. Political, media, cultural and environmental contexts are described, with particular emphasis given to the actions to be undertaken in local municipalities in order to prevent hate speech against immigrants.