Is hate speech free speech?

Jazzy

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Why or why not?
 

Fritz Kobus

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The first problem is in defining hate speech. A Marxist might consider a speech on free market economics to be an expression of hatred towards the proletariat, and therefore deem it hate speech. I think the whole thing of hate speech is a huge can of worms.
 

hedrick

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In the US, yes, not necessarily elsewhere.
 

tango

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Depending on how you define "hate speech" I think the answer would vary.

If someone is directly calling for violence against a specific person or group I'd be inclined to tread more carefully than when dealing with much of what is called "hate speech" these days.

These days it sometimes seems like simply disagreeing with someone's lifestyle choices is considered "hate speech", which is absurd. You can disagree with someone without hating them. I suspect most of us have friends and/or family who we love dearly but disagree with them on at least some topics.
 

Jazzy

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Yes it is, you are free to say it. Doesn't mean you're free of consequences.
 
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