Should "hate speech" be criminalized in the U.S.?
 

Should "hate speech" be criminalized and legislated against in the U.S., in spite of the First Amendment? If so, who should define what it is?

It shouldn't be illegal. Democracy must accept even the opinions of its enemies.

What I find tricky is finding a way to distinctly label speech that incites violence/danger (and therefore, what can truly be defined as "violent/dangerous") vs speech that could be labeled hateful, yet isn't putting anyone in harms way.

I generally believe that if it isn't a call to violence or harm, we must allow it to be spoken. We are free to disagree, ignore, or rebuke.

It really is a complicated subject.

Who decides what "hate speech" is, exactly? I mean, what if someday making jokes about a certain race/ethnicity is considered "hate speech"? It's really open to interpretation, it seems.

Could you give examples of what sort of "hate speech" you have in mind? In some European countries, such as Germany and France, publicly denying the Holocaust is considered "hate speech" and it's punishable by law. Is that the type of hate speech you're referring to or other examples? I'm sorry, but the video is nearly 50 minutes long and I'm not gonna watch it in its entirety.

Anyway, I'm not American as everyone knows already. So I will abstain from voting and won't be telling you guys how to run your yard.

I'd say no because there's the slippery slope that even a valid criticism could be called hate speech.

Think the whole 'you're automatically a misogynist for not liking the female Ghostbusters movie' but cranked to 11 and you get actual jail time for voicing your opinion.

I'd say that any country should be open and honest about what it stands for.

If any country claims to uphold freedom of speech, then all speech must be free, no exceptions, no matter how unpopular it is. Claiming freedom of speech, and then surpressing certains forms of speech because its "hateful" or "harming someone" is an act of hypocrisy, lying and cowardice.

No, I don't believe in criminalizing words. Words are an extension of thoughts, and you can't police that, either. Much as many wish that could be done.

I mean, in theory, if I simply said to someone, "I hate you", that would now be a criminal act, under the broadest possible definitions. How could it not? It's literally "hate speech", because you told the person you hate them. Obviously, those in favor would literally want it to mean "Don't be racist/sexist/whatever-ist", but again, "hate speech" doesn't get any more clear than simply saying "I hate you" to someone. And under the broadest application they'd still be punished for it. Which is nuts.

Id say no too because all the easily Triggered SJW's would say everything is hate speech and what not :lol:

Many of them already do.

You voted Yes :tlol:

That was before I thought of what the SJW regime would do if they had that power.

No disrespect to your personal opinion, but why'd you pick yes in the first place? Everybody has a different view of what's right and wrong. What's hate speech to one might be a light hearted joke to another. Taking away the right to say certain things because a couple people get their feelings hurt doesn't sound very nice. Like someone said above, I feel everyone should be able to say what's on their mind as long as it doesn't cause violence or illegal activity.

Also, I want to clarify that I don't agree with people using words with the intent of offending others, and I'm not trying to justify it in my post. I just want everybody to be able to speak their views/opinions/beliefs. The definition of "hate speech" can be very loose so I disagree with it being criminalized.

Besides, if we outlaw "hate speech", how will kids on XBox Live and PSN communicate with each other?

Threatening to defile each other's mothers isn't hate speech unless their moms are non-white. So the little punks should be okay.

I banged your Mom.

D'you hate me yet? :trazz:

Dad? :teek:

"...................LIQUID?!?!" :teek:

https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/...shed_snake.jpg

No. But people who like to spout off in that way need to get it through their thick and presumably somewhat empty skulls that not being arrested/charged for it is where the "right" to do it ends.

Freedom of speech does not grant them a right to not be called out on their behavior. And it doesn't require others to just tolerate your garbage in silence if you're being an ass.

He looks nothing like Sean Connery, FAKE SNAKE!

That's funny for multiple reasons if you're familiar with MGS V. :lol: