Do you think people abuse the use of free speech to spread hate crimes?

Question

I mean check out the KKK and other hate groups...it seems like they use free speech to its fullest meaning. Why isn't the governement doing anything to prevent this?

Answer 1

yes, those who take the freedom of speech to its nebulous limits certainly do so to the point of abuse, regardless of the vitriol that harms otherwise defenseless individuals or classes.

this is not an experience unique to the US; every free and democratic country that takes pride in its constitutional freedoms, speech foremost among them, guards the same, albeit with varying degrees of zealousness. often, its actual exercise and limitations are determined by national priorities, political exigencies, or its well defined criminal statutes and established jurisprudence.

most democratic societies that enshrine free speech in their constitution adopt safeguards of varying degrees of effectiveness at combatting just such abuse. more often than not, the outermost limits are determined by whether the exercise of free speech crosses the line that determines the commission of an offense / crime defined by the country's criminal statutes, e.g., what one country defines as amounting to libel, oral defamation, grave slander, subversion or inciting to sedition may be radically different from another's. it's the country's criminal statutes and established jurisprudence that determine whether that line has been crossed for the authorities to in the interest of the majority, or for the offended to sue for redress and/or compensation for damages.

other jurisdictions (countries) may recognize and enshrine the freedom in its fundamental law but justify the severe limitation on its exercise with such catch-all phrases as "national security", political realities and/or economic exigencies. in point of fact and by way of example, the philippine dictator marcos silenced the political opposition by criminalizing "rumour-mongering".

in jurisdictions with particularly fragile economies, the mere dissemination of unverified information that may affect, or have, in fact, adversely affected the national economy, has been considered a crime of grave national proportions, amounting to "economic sabotage".

while it is a great reality that we have a freedom of speech that we have every right to defend zealously, it is, likewise, a tragic reality that we can only rely on ourselves, in the very exercise of the same freedom, to voice our faith and demand its reasonable curtailment once that freedom is abused to the unfair disadvantage of any one else. after all, if we don't safeguard the freedom and fight its abuse against others, who will defend it for us when we are at the receiving end of its abuse?

it really all depends on how a country's constitutional institutions value this freedom, weighing the consequences of its free exercise as against the "threat" of its dilution or endangerment by the very threat or act of prosecuting every perceived abuse or violation, regardless of its lightness or gravity.

much also depends on how zealously the citizens safeguard evey nuance in the exercise of that freedom. probably, the US citizenry and its institutions have so zealously guarded this very right precisely because it lies at the bedrock of its constitutional foundation; a 200+ year history founded on individuality and freedom is not something to take lightly. it is a source of rightful national pride...until its abuse in a single instance so focuses national consciousness and awareness of its potential for equal national shame...because its unfettered abuse has, in fact, resulted in patently wrongful damage to honor, life and limb, national security or the comon weal.

we can only pray that we safeguard the freedom enough so that it may not be abused at our expense. a painful paradox, but a sacrifice worth taking.

Answer 2

Yes, I think that people do abuse the use of free speech to spread hate crimes.

The government isn't doing anything because they don't won't to step on anyone's toes. After all the government thinks they'll be denying free speech if they step it up the way we want them and put a stop to these silent but deadly hate groups.

Answer 3

if the government started restricting free speech, then where would it stop? i don't agree with the kkk, but a lot of people don't agree with some things i believe... although not to the same extent as the kkk

Answer 4

Hmm...to answer your question, I believe our government is doing nothing to prevent these hate crimes from happening across our world because no one is properly educated, angered or compassionate enough to stop these atrocious behaviors to abolish these events from further occuring in this world, due to the uses and daily actions of Free Speech....

I am a strong believer in correct education, beyond schools, because believe it or not, even schools and colleges support, ravishly, hate crimes, as do our governments. Your question is valid and needed to be displayed. I appaud and acknowldge your courage in stepping up and asking your question.

For too many people take and use the word "Hate" and absolutely use it beyond its meanings...everyday, in every second of life. Even "Free Speech" although, is a subtle term used by people in this day and age, throughout history, words have power. Even whispers....

I also feel that the only word we need to learn is "Love", don't you think?

Generally, the term of "Free Speech" is used very explicitly well; people using the power of sheer words to match and condone their unappeasing will and lust for corrective power....how absurd. I think that our government is doing nothing to stop this because they do not know how to educate us in the correct form of fashion, to take strong matters such as this, into our own hands; but perhaps, that is something we need to do....take good care of yourself.

Answer 5

Yes, they use free speech. Government can't do anything to shut even idiot people up.

Answer 6

cause then that would be against free speech.

just like why doesn't someone come and tell you to shut up for saying what you just said? free speech.

it has to go both ways or its not FREE speech.

Answer 7

I certainly do - it's disgraceful. But, I guess you can't have one without the other. Sad but true - if the first amendment could in someway be amended........

Answer 8

Yes, they don't know how to love.

Answer 9

Yes, we all do!