I have met a few racist people, who have all said that I cannot tell that their opinion is wrong, and that they are allowed to be as openly racist as they like because we are all entitled "free speech".
Are there some things which are just universally known as "wrong", and should certain things not be allowed in "free speech" ?
2006-11-02 23:10:42 · 24 answers · asked by dontstickyournoseupatme 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
There is no excuse for racism and you have just as much right to tell them that their opinion is wrong as they have to spew their hate.
2006-11-02 23:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think that regardless of free speech, people shouldn't be allowed to say whatever they like if it makes people feel uncomfortable, degraded or embarrassed. Free speech is an excuse to be racist and it is a shame things like that couldn't be universally known as wrong. Unfortunately some people are so bigoted and no laws or civil action will stop that which is sad. Even our own police service have been brought to hand for being bigoted against race, religion and gender. Even post McPherson report people are still suffering within the police service from handfuls of racist police officers, which is a shame because the vast majority aren't like that. I always say to people who are racist in my presence that although they are entitled to their opinions it doesn't mean i have to agree or stand around and listen to it.
2006-11-02 23:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by looby1967 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you start limiting what is acceptable as free speech, then it's no longer free, is it?
Racism isn't caused by free speech, it's caused by stupidity. Free speech only allows them to prove it to the world.
Consider yourself lucky that the racist people you have met have made it obvious, it makes it much easier to stay FAR away from them.
2006-11-02 23:16:05 · answer #3 · answered by DetroitBrat 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a good question, but should "free speech" have to be anything but what it says: "free speech"?
A racist person is, in one way, at least honest about their prejudices. I would almost prefer them to the "Politically Corrects" who pretend to love all races, but would be horribly upset if blacks moved into their posh neighbourhood and brought down property values, and I know more of those than the true racists.
Why not just always say what you truly think, but not if will offend people, but at least believe what you truly believe, not what you think you should believe. At least it is honest.
2006-11-02 23:20:39 · answer #4 · answered by simon2blues 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do think free speech is an excuse for racism. These people say they can say anything because of free speech. It is not right.
2006-11-02 23:41:01 · answer #5 · answered by bldudas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free speech is just that - the ability to state our minds without being persecuted. However if you think about it, that's not always the case. People cannot make threats - you can be arrested for that. And a threat is an example of free speech in one manner.
I do think people hide behind free speech as an excuse for bad manners or bad behavior.
Morally, their views are wrong - but an opinion is just that, an opinon. So if they are racist against a certain group of people - well that's their opinion and thusly, can't be wrong.
2006-11-02 23:15:50 · answer #6 · answered by empress_pam 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
the answer is simple, everything said and done that can disadvantage or hurt someone is universally wrong. There are enough examples in the past and even today of blacks, hispanics, etc that have been disadvantaged , hurt or killed. These are criminal acts and thus those supporting racism are an accomplice of those crimes and the ones that are to come....
2006-11-02 23:21:03 · answer #7 · answered by Bitstorm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was at school there was a blackboard, on which the teacher wrote our lessons etc. As the word black is classed as racist it has become a chalkboard.
Glasgow City Council is responsible for the latest language guide to be issued to staff: out go terms such as "ladies", "pet", "dear", and "love".
Some word and phrases such as "manpower" and "man the office". This according to GCC is ignoring women, inclusive terms should be, "staff" and/or "workers" and "staff the office" .
This is another way to ban our inherent right to speak our mind.
I don't mind people speaking out, as long as they don't cover their faces, when protesting
.
.
2006-11-03 05:14:16 · answer #8 · answered by tom t 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Free speech, even if racist or "wrong", should still be allowed, as long as nobody is physically hurt (screaming "fire" in a theatre).
2006-11-02 23:13:58 · answer #9 · answered by samxli 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without free speech we all become clones and life becomes dull, boring and controlled. With free speech you can voice your thoughts and beliefs and others have the right to challenge them and cause you to re-think your standpoint.
The problem is those who say what they think but don't listen to and consider the feedback they get from others.
Sometimes our beliefs are founded on mis information or mis conception, others putting across a different viewpoint may cause us to re-position ourselves and take a different stance.
2006-11-02 23:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by Kaypee 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
everything should be allowed in free speech even cussing out the stupid racist bastards and just tell that they cant tell you not to tell them their opinions are wrong for the same reasons
2006-11-02 23:13:31 · answer #11 · answered by tlalteutli 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋