Should Hate Groups Be Allowed Free Speech - 725 Words

From the century-old Ku Klux Klan to the widely publicized Westboro Baptist Church, hate groups have always been prevalent in America. They have been around since humans have had the ability to share and act upon common hatred towards others. Why do they still exist today even after all the progress our society has made fighting against racism and intolerance? The answer lies in the First Amendment right to free speech. Our democratic society allows all citizens the freedom to express any and all opinions, no matter how offensive and hurtful. This leads many to question whether these hate groups should be allowed the right to free speech. I believe that hate groups should be allowed free speech because all Americans have the right of free speech, it is not discriminatory unless it incites violence, and hate can be prevented through education rather than criminalization. Hate groups are known to protest against otherwise agreeable opinions through rallies and speeches. The Westboro Ba ptist Church is known for picketing funerals, however they have never physically assaulted the people they hate, even when argued with by opposing bystanders. What they do may seem immoral, but it is not a crime to express an opinion. Their opinions and those of other hate groups are protected by the First Amendment which â€Å"should protect such expressions when they†¦do not present danger of an immediate breach of peace† (Attias). This was established in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) in which theShow MoreRelatedFree Speech And Freedom Of Speech1145 Words   |  5 PagesHate speech is not free speech due to the fact that it is unconstitutional. Free speech is not speech free from consequences. When we choose to express ourselves, we also choose to accept the consequences of that speech. An example of why hate speech is not free speech is because it can violate certain freedom of speech like slander and libel. Another example would be like a specific individual starts usi ng fighting words against someone and that someone starts fighting that specific being. ThatRead MoreSpeech On The Bill Of Rights1153 Words   |  5 Pagesrespecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press† (Alderman and Kennedy, pg.21). Because of the First Amendment, hate speech, â€Å"no matter how offensive its content†, was â€Å"protected† under the laws (ACLZ). However, people are still demanding more. They want hate-related speech to be allowed on campuses –without knowing the effects and the damage it could do. Hate speech could bring people down, lower their confidences andRead MoreThe Harm In Hate Speech Analysis1101 Words   |  5 Pagesargues in favor of hate speech restrictions in his book â€Å"The Harm in Hate Speech†. He presents the central argument that vulnerable minorities are in need of hate speech regulation to protect them from harm. Another argument he presents is that such regulation must be a content-based regulation, as opposed to a time, place, and manner restriction that is usually employed to prevent certain kinds of speech. A final argument he uses is that speech is the harmful action, rather than speech simply causingRead MoreThe Misconception Of Hate Groups902 Words   |  4 Pages The Misconception of Hate Groups Introduction-Did you know that the Ku Klux Klan (a white supremacist hate group) resides in about 22 states and counting. There are many hate groups all over the U.S. that cause a lot of violence which may lead to death and many injuries. And when these hate groups get out of hand, this can lead to property damage to. If an incident like Charlottesville, is big enough, this cause a lot of tension between political officials and parties. With these recent eventsRead MoreFree Speech And Hate Speech1000 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween hate and free speech is, and what the first amendment does to control them both. The first amendment states that congress shall make no law that abridges the freedom of speech. But to what extent should language be protected? The rights of one man should reach until they shadow over another’s. Meaning free speech is protected until it violates the rights of another. Hate speech is the line where free speech becomes unconstitutional. The contrast betw een free speech and hate speech is a heavilyRead MoreWe Must Stop Hate Speech1709 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the turbulent tides of the 2016 election, the question of whether or not hate speech is protected under the First Amendment has been brought up multiple times. Hate speech is defined by the American Bar Association as â€Å"speech that offends, threatens, or insults groups, based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits.† One side argues that hateful comments should not and are not protected due to the oppression they bring. After all, why wouldRead MorePersuasive Essay On Hate Speech1612 Words   |  7 Pages In the name of free speech, hate speech should not be tolerated. Hate speech has devastating effects on the people and communities it is targeted at. Left unchecked hate speech can lead to harmful and violent effects. Over the past few years, the effects of hate speech used on women, homosexuals, ethnic group s and religious minorities have become more and more apparent. Hate speech can be very divisive in many of the situations it is used, depending on who interprets the expression can vary howRead MoreEssay on On the Issue of Hate Speech1193 Words   |  5 PagesAlmost all Americans today have heard of the First Amendment and its protection of free speech. This protection allows a free exchange of ideas among the members of society. Without it, Americans would not be able to voice their criticisms against anything without having a fear of being arrested. However, in the past, the government has limited this fundamental right several times. During World War I, Charles Schenck passed out fliers criticizing the national draft. He was arrested, and the SupremeRead MoreHate Speech1536 Words   |  7 PagesHate Speech Essay In the first amendment of the United States constitution, American citizens are guaranteed the right to free speech. This is a fundamental right of American law, and one of the foundations of the U.S. Constitution. It is also the breeding ground for one of the most widely debated issues in America: What, if any, measures should be put into place to regulate hateful language? Most people will agree under one definition or another that hate speech is a socially deviant activityRead MoreImportance Of Freedom Of Speech914 Words   |  4 PagesFree Speech Should be Limited Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, but when there is freedom of speech without limits or restrictions, there is no doubt that this will lead to disaster. People will surely benefit if we are able balance between freedom of speech and restrictions to ensure that society can communicate and prosper without anarchy. The first amendment for freedom of speech can be a good thing and a bad thing if left to free. An important lesson that a young woman learned when