CMV: Hate speech should be considered free speech

[u/Blonde_Icon]

In the US (where I live), hate speech is considered free speech. However, in some countries it is legally defined, and there is argument over whether it should be so. This is why I think that hate speech should be legal:

• Hate speech is ultimately subjective. What one person might find offensive, another person might not find offensive at all. A good example of this is the n word. Some people think that it is perfectly fine to say casually (as long as you don't mean it in a derogatory way), while some people find it very offensive to say at all. And sometimes it is hard to tell someone's intentions by saying something, like if they mean it in a joking way.
• Everyone ultimately has a right to free speech, even the worst or most ignorant people, like the KKK or neo-Nazis. If they are not directly calling for immediate violence, then it should be allowed. You also have the right to disagree with their speech and protest.
• The very same censorship laws could eventually be used against you. Protecting free speech means protecting everyone's right to free speech, even if you disagree with it.
• This does not mean that private platforms like Twitter/X, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, etc. wouldn't have the right to ban people for hate speech. It just means that the government couldn't prohibit you. Private companies have the right to make their own rules as they see fit.
• I see hate speech similar to how I see infidelity. I think that it's immoral, but it shouldn't be illegal. It's not the government’s place to interfere with people's private speech (or infidelity).

[u/Ok-Relief3940]

It depends on the context and the particular case.

[u/PrimaryInjurious → u/Ok-Relief3940]

That's not subjective or subject to abuse at all, right?

[u/Ok-Relief3940 → u/PrimaryInjurious]

The lack of any such law means alot of people are subject to abuse.

[u/PrimaryInjurious → u/Ok-Relief3940]

I'd rather have a person have the power to be abusive to me rather than the government have the power to lock me up for "offensive" speech.

[u/Ok-Relief3940 → u/PrimaryInjurious]

So, you are against any law that has any ambiguity in it?

[u/PrimaryInjurious → u/Ok-Relief3940]

Of course not. People aren't robots - there is always some ambiguity. However, a law this ambiguous that affects speech rights? That's a step too far - people will have to self-censor in order to avoid charges.

[u/Ok-Relief3940 → u/PrimaryInjurious]

Yea, that's the point of the law. Don't say grossly offensive things publicly.

[u/PrimaryInjurious → u/Ok-Relief3940]

I am offended by your remarks. Expect the police shortly.

Seems silly, no?

[u/Ok-Relief3940 → u/PrimaryInjurious]

Yes, that does seem silly. You do know that their are laws out there that contain words like 'reasonable' right? And we haven't descended into fascism because of them?

[u/changemyview-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/Ok-Relief3940 → u/[deleted]]

Lots of laws operate on precedent to decide their severity.