Shouldn't racism be punishable in the U.S.?

Question

I didn't know this, but it is actually considered a crime in Brazil. Here is the full story:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/11/22/brazil.racism.ap/index.html

Goose&Tonics, racists should be exterminated upon discovery.

Answer 1

i with you 100% i just hate racism

Answer 2

Racism is punishable in the U.S. when it results in illegal discrimination or is a factor in a crime. An assault and battery becomes a Hate Crime with much greater punishment when racism is involved. On the other hand, some forms of racism carry no official punishment.

An organization, called Freedom House, puts out an annual ranking of Freedom in the World. Countries are ranked on a scale of 1 to 7 with .5 increments. Countries having the most political rights and civil liberties are ranked as a 1 and those with the least are ranked with a 7. The U.S. is a 1 and Brazil is a 2.5.

A person doing the same thing at an airport in the U.S. that the individual did in the story in Brazil, would stand a very good chance of being charged with disorderly conduct, if not something more. Whether "racism" itself should be a crime as opposed behaviors is still open.

Answer 3

I'm with Cy(beq), Hatred is not a crime but acting out in an anti social way is. If there could be a punishment or national behavior criteria regulating whom one can hate, then who's to say they couldn't (wouldn't) regulate who you are allowed to Love ? Brazil as you probably know is not one of the staunchest defenders or proponents of human rights. Again I remind you that there are laws protecting citizens against unreasonable prejudice already in existence, it's just always such an ugly mess
when it gets to court because of the liberal interpretation we are allowed to put on them.

Answer 4

No, for one of two reasons. First, it infringes on our First Amendment Rights to Free Speech, bordering on censorship. The ACLU would be all over it before it even made it to Congress.

The second reason would be that it is what is called a slippery slope argument, that is, racism is such a broad subject that a law would be open to a number of interpretations that could tie up court systems with ridiculous cases, some involving civil servants.

Answer 5

I am not a racist by any stretch of the word but I don't think hate of any kind should be against the law. How can you legislate thought? It's spooky to think about. Acting on that hate in illegal ways should be a crime but the mere thought of racism shouldn't be.

Answer 6

It'll never happen here. That's why we have the 1st amendment.

It is illegal to discriminate based on race, but if you want to utter a racial slur, it's up to you.

I think racists are idiots, personally, but that's not worth them going to jail over.

Answer 7

Nope.. I don't like racist on any side.... however the Constitution gives us the right of free speech, so no to be racist shouldn't be illegal- it's a moral issue... however once it becomes a hate crime then yes it is illegal and punishable

Answer 8

We, as Americans, have free speech and free thought. So if someone wants to hate someone else for no reason other than skin color, they have that right. As long as no one is physically hurt, then it isn't a crime.

Answer 9

That's an intersting idea, but I think it would violate the free speech amendment. Would you really want to promote a law that limits your freedom of speech? I think Bush has done enough to limit our freedoms already.

Answer 10

I tend to agree with Glenn Beck after the racial slurs that Micheal Richards blurted out the N word and all others should be banned with all the other words and punishable by law. even if it is used in rap songs or in greeting...eg..."hey my n***a"
it's too confusing when it is used in comedy and such and then not allowed in other situations. banning it would be a start.

Answer 11

if it was punishable, then the whole first amendment would have to be re-written. That is not going to happen. I do hate racist people though, they should all be stepped on