The hate speech museum gives a great summary of the many topics and debates regarding hate speech. Hate speech can be defined as any type of communication that delivers a negative message towards any group, religion, ethnicity, etc. However, hate speech is allowed and protected under the first amendment, the right to free speech.
In recently times, there have been a lot of controversies regarding hate speech, especially with the invent of the internet. The internet has completely opened the world to all its good and bad. With blogs, youtube, facebook, and other forms of communication through the web, hate speech has spread like wild fire. I can’t imagine the amount of hate speech that is being entered on websites and blogs at this moment.
In my opinion, s long as a message is not targeted to one specific group or person, and is only continued to be broadcasted, hate speech is constitutionally okay. However, when a person begins to feel threatened, then there is a need to step in and address the situation. Also, please don’t get me wrong, I in now way condone hate speech, but if it is a law that people can say what they want, we have to follow it.
What’s your opinion?
-Jossshhuaa
Hey Jossshhuaa,
ReplyDeleteI understand the legal aspect of hate speech, however the morals that I live by bring me to the conclusion that hate speech is not okay. So many people in the world today are bullied every day. Suicide rates have increased significantly, and violence and murder have also increased. Hate speech can have seriously psychological effects on a person, and this can lead to suicide. Also, hate speech, if allowed to continue over time can lead to violence and hate crimes. Although I thoroughly enjoy the ability to have freedom of speech, hate speech has been the spark to ignite much violence and suicide in our world today. It is a difficult issue to take a stand on, because I believe in our freedom of speech, but I have seen so many people hurt from hate speech, myself included. If only we could all get along :)
-Elek Tricitie