Opinion Essay: Difference Between Hate Speech And Freedom

Improved Essays
In this era of new technology, information is getting easier to access and easier to misinterpret. There is a huge distinction between hate speech and freedom of speech that liberals, libertarians, and conservatives as well, seem to be misunderstanding. It is an ongoing debate that certainly needs to be addressed in a manner that will educate people about this rampant and damaging problem. On one side, we have liberals who feel like if others do not agree with their ideology, then the other side is using hate speech. On the other side, we have libertarians who, no matter what type of speech, whether it be free or hateful speech, will protect your right to do so. Lastly, we have conservatives, who think that the anyone who does not agree with …show more content…
The major difference between hate speech and free speech is the fact the, while free speech lets a person express their opinions on things like politics, environmental issues, and even things as trivial as not liking a character on a show, hate speech involves the human rights and safety of other people. It has been said that hate speech is free speech, but when a group of people is being persecuted as a result of said free speech that is when we, as a nation, need to draw a line. Other nations, like Germany, have drawn that line because of their history. For example, Germany has banned any type of Nazi symbols, uniforms, and songs that involve that type of nationalism pertaining to that era. On the other hand, the United States of America protects the rights of people going around wearing swastikas and screaming about white supremacy because they consider it has free speech. Freedom of speech is being able to question the morals and ethic principles of your government and asking for a change. Hate speech is a person feeling superior because they believe that their lives would be better without something or someone they perceive as an

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Having Free Speech is the basic right that Americans have, it is the ability to speaks one’s mind and ideas. Theres are many benefits to having the ability to project ideas without censorship. Caleb Yong author of “Does Freedom of Speech Include Hate Speech?” argues that the liberal justice has a special protection against the restriction of speech and expression, he calls it “Free Speech Principle” where it includes its “sensitivity to the distinction between coverage and protection (Yong)” that the speech should be monitored. Hate speech is too broad to single out the negative effect that it can have in any group. The main concept of this article includes the four categories that hate speech can be set in. The first one is targeted abusive speech, second large number of abusive speech, third organized political exclusivity, and fourth slander against any specific groups. Certain speeches do not fall under the Free Speech Principle which are called “uncovered speech,” when that occurs there has to be a counter part to the speech. It has to have benefit and cost, usually the benefits out weighs the harm in the speech. Freedom of Speech is supported by justification because each speech is given factor in some benefit that over rules…

    • 1030 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Speech is defined as the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words (Merriam Webster Dictionary). However, in the United States, speech takes on a different meaning. Since December 15, 1791 (Wikipedia: The First Amendment), citizens of the United States have been allowed to speak, read, and write their individual opinions freely. In fact, the United States values and protects the freedom of speech more than any other country worldwide. In the history of the United States, there have been countless examples in which the opinions concerning free speech differ. In fact, in several cases, the disputes were taken to the supreme court level. Examples of this include West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette in which a student exercised…

    • 484 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The freedom to speech is very important to many Americans. However, many wonder if some speech should be prohibited especially while online. This is because it is harming, slandering, or hateful. The best way to evaluate this issue is through Deontology. This is because every American has a right to free speech, according to the constitution, they also have duties and consequences that come with being able to say whatever they want. It is important to focus on all three of these factors in order to determine whether free speech is a good thing rather than make judgements about speech only based off the consequences.…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Freedom of speech is a right of citizens that is protected by the U.S constitution. Under this amendment, citizens are able to voice their concerns without being censored by the government. Due to this unlimited freedom, most citizens are using their voice to say hateful and negative things to other citizens. However, should this speech have some type of limitations? They have every right to speak their mind, except when it is harming or hurting another person. However, people may argue no matter how hateful and disturbing the speech is, they should not have restrictions. Additionally, that those that were target should not take offence. They should just have the ability to ignore the speech. This is not always the case, however, some people really take offence to such words. People should not have fear when it comes to living in the United States, hateful and offensive speech should have some type of restriction.…

    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This made me think of the debate over if hate speech is protected by the freedom of speech. Hate speech is a terrible thing. But, it needs to be protected. People should have the ability to say whatever they want as long it is not threatening.…

    • 342 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Freedom of speech can be debated on whether or not there should be boundaries to it or not and on what is considered freedom of speech. The First Amendment affirmed that "Congress shall make no law...abridging freedom of speech" but based on www.legal-dictionary.the free dictionary.com it states' All speech is not equal under the First Amendment. The high court has identified five areas of expression that the government may legitimately restrict under certain circumstances. These areas are speech that incites illegal activity and subversive speech, fighting words, obscenity and pornography, commercial speech, and symbolic expression'. On this information and amongst other I believe that freedom of speech is both restricted to a fault and abused.…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Freedom of speech is a privilege all Americans share. A person can state whatever they please, so long as it doesn’t cause a clear and present danger, without government interference. The idea that someone can legally think, be, and say whatever they want is what lead millions of immigrants to form the U.S. back in 1776 and is the same reason people fight for their right to live here today. Thanks to information being so accessible in this digital age, individuals are told that they are allowed and to study and form an educated opinion. This comes with one catch. Lately, many societal issues have become so taboo that talking about them causes too much widespread discomfort. The general consensus has become that everyone is entitled to have…

    • 975 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Freedom of speech is both right and privilege that we can neither take it for granted nor back away. It’s important to find a middle ground where we can hear one another, where we can debate and disagree with respect. People in America have learn that is good to have an opinion and that you opinion…

    • 641 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Tinker Vs Moines Essay

    • 1029 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A friend in my school got in trouble for talking about “guns” or “gay people.” Is this a case of “Hate Speech,” and should he have gotten in trouble? Freedom of speech, part of the first amendment, allows people to speak their mind without repercussions. This right was put into the Bill of Rights because the founding fathers wanted the people to be able to voice their opinions about the government. Today people want the same thing, to be offered the right to voice their opinions Easily offended people and so-called “Hate Speech” are attacking our first amendment right. People in America are too easily offended by things that shouldn’t matter. According to a Newsweek article written by Buzz Brockway, “Chike Uzuegbunam attempted to share his…

    • 1029 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Freedom of Speech is one of the core values that is proudly embedded in Americans. Although, some people wonder if there should be limits to this right that Americans have, Freedom of Speech. Many citizens are against different forms of hate speech, yet still understand that hate speech is protected under the first amendment. Hate speech is a way for people to express themselves and defend what they believe in. If the United States were to put…

    • 1552 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The first amendment protects the right to freely express an opinion. But, this law only goes so far, as in, it doesn’t shield us from the profane perspective of other people. Gilberto Valle, an ex-police officer, expressed his desire to abduct, torture, and eat the flesh of women through social media. The crimes were never actually committed, however, concern among the people around him arose. No matter the vulgarity, everyone like Valle is “justified” to speak their mind, as long as it doesn’t harm the government. Yet, what happens when it harms the people? The dangers of free speech were first defined in the case Brandenberg v. Ohio in 1969, stated that the hate speech of “crime, sabotage, violence or . . . terrorism as a means of accomplishing…

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Our founding fathers understood the integrity of free speech; without the independence to express your ideas, there can be no true freedom. Today’s generation of Americans need to take a step back and think about the future implications of restricting free speech, and what kind of a nation will we leave for our children. A nation that is afraid of hurting feelings, being politically incorrect, and unable to interact with differing opinions is a nation that will fall to mediocrity and eventually to tyranny. This is a far-cry from the nation who defended with their lives the belief that all men should have the ability to voice their…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Some people may feel this is a way to express their opinions which everyone is entitled to their opinion. Hate speeches are hostile remarks against a particular group. Any speech that facilitates hatred toward certain minority group based on factors of religion, gender or color shouldn’t be tolerated in any environment and if the other person is not there to share their opinion. In society today hate speeches can be anywhere for example graffiti, even the internet. People will post signs outside their homes so that their opinion can been shared. We all are entitled to freedom of speech but what is it when freedom of speech turns into a hate crime.…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In many countries, hate speech has had laws set against it because they believe that it leads to violence, but in the United States it is considered a form of free speech so it is allowed with no limits. As part of the Constitution, freedom of speech is sometimes used so that people are allowed to express their opinions and say as they pleased. Many Americans want to ban hate speech from being a part of the First Amendment because they believe that it causes and provokes violence against others. Others want to defend their rights as citizens and be allowed to express their opinions with each other without being afraid that they might get fined or put in jail because someone didn’t like what they said and got offended. Hate speech should be…

    • 1733 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    As of right now the major issue regarding the extent of free speech is hate speech, speech that offends, threatens or insults a group of individual, race, caste, culture etc. People want to put a limitation or restriction to speech regarding hate due to a religious belief, hate for a religious group, hate that rises from different political view which can also stem from religious beliefs. One of the most common examples is that, the protests against gay marriages or abortion that can rise from a religious or personal standpoint is considered a hate speech and the first amendment should prohibit it. Hate speech is the only major standpoint as to limiting the freedom of speech and current stance of the court, as resolved in the Brandenburg v. Ohio, is that all speech is protected by the First Amendment unless it can potentially lead to an “imminent lawless…

    • 1222 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays