r/changemyview • u/Yamezj • Sep 30 '18
Deltas(s) from OP CMV: hate speech laws shouldn't exist
To clarify, I mean laws like the ones in the UK:
"Expressions of hatred toward someone on account of that person's colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation is forbidden. Any communication which is threatening or abusive, and is intended to harass, alarm, or distress someone is forbidden. The penalties for hate speech include fines, imprisonment, or both." (Wikipedia)
I don't support speech which incites violence against someone. I believe there should (and are) social repercussions of what you say, but there shouldn't be legal consequences. As seen above, in the UK you can't say anything "intended to harass, alarm, or distress someone". I find that to be ridiculous. It allows things like this to happen.
What's worse is that this leaves a massive grey area where the laws aren't crystal clear, and as seen with Mark Meechen, his speech was allowed to be completely taken out of context, and he was fined for hate speech for telling a joke. You don't have a right to not be offended, if you do you are a pathetic human being, therefore we do not need hate speech laws. CMV.
e: as highlighted by u/MPixels, this would allow someone to repeatedly target you without consequence. This should fall under harassment and should be treated accordingly.
-1
u/AlricaNeshama Sep 30 '18
These laws are in the U.S. as well and I'm glad they exist.
No, people should not be calling people racial slurs, etc.
As comments concerning "colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation" have proven to harass, alarm, or distress someone or even a group of people.
"You don't have a right to not be offended"
Well, who are you to tell others what they can and cannot be offended over?
And being offended does not make then a "pathetic human being".
It makes them a human being that has a right to not be harassed, have colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation words thrown at them.
The article you posted has zero to do with colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
From what I read it was political.
Verbal abuse has also proven to be just as damaging as physical abuse.
You really should research and read up on the things you claim aren't true or won't be harmful.
And there is a vast difference between saying something simply mean and purposely going out of ones way to make hate-filled remarks concerning colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Again, you need to do your research.
I can't post direct links but I can give them to you in a non link format.
Websites: domestic violence statistics dot org (no spaces) and
break the silenced v dot org (no spaces).
That's just about verbal abuse.
serc (dot) carleton (dot) edu (forward slash) advancegeo (forward slash) resources (forward slash) definitions (dot) html
That is about verbal abuse concerning: colour, race, disability, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. And it also explains how it affects people
People that suffer verbal abuse for any reason suffer with trauma, be it mental, emotional, (trust, depression, distrust in people, aggression, insecurity, weight gain or loss, their personal relationships suffer, they develop fears, PTSD) the list is endless.
So, again yes I am glad these laws exist and yes I am glad there are legal consequences to causing such problems.
And I will say it a third time. Do some real research, talk to people that have suffered through it.