"Hatred is the bastard child of fear. It is fear by another name, nothing more. It is a defense mechanism, a reaction to a perceived threat, real or imagined. Hatred is the cry of a small child, alone in the dark, who is certain that monsters lurk within, hidden by shadows and waiting to gobble him up. Until mommy turns on the light and he sees it was only his teddy bear.

Those who claim to hate you fear you. They see you, or some idea you represent in their minds, as a threat, real or not.
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@POOetryma nicely said