Ok, be mature... Do you have a right to be racist (should you choose to) upheld constitutionally (in the US)?

Question

Would this imply that you will limit the other individual of the race you deplore's pursuit of happiness, etc? I know that the social reprecussions will be bad (i.e. this Imus thing now) for such an individual unless they are in the KKK or something... But do you have a right to be racist? Is there any way to change the status of the law now, i.e. make it legal if it isn't or illegal if it is now? What strategy would you suggest? Any miscellaneous thoughts on the matter?

PS - I'm striving to be objective; I'm not racist and I hope you are not either. It's just a mental exercise, satisfying a curiosity and asking for input. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't think racism benefits anyone.

However, one big problem with racism today is that those who feel negative thoughts toward a group are forced to supress thier emotions. This allows the group being targeted to continue and we hope thrive in society ... but I'm sure they can feel negativity from those who don't like them. So, we're left with two groups who have closed dialoge and are left to use their imaginations to fix the problems silently.

Now, I can only attest to when my "Ex" left trails of the other woman around, and when I point blank asked him ... what are you thinking ... and got a lie ... well, my imagination was very colorful. It was poisen to my personality and soul.

I imagine that those afflicted with racism (the hater or hated) undergo the same insanity by surpressing this issue instead of facing it. I was always taught, "The truth shall set you free." I hope for a world free from hate.
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In my opinion the government should stay out of this issue, unless physical violence breaks out or property is destroyed.

I say that individuals are responsable for each other and not the government. Media like PBS, Oprah, and other safe places to discuss are good for us to remove this poisen from our society. The government has about as much authority on this as deciding who my best friend is.

Answer 2

I think that if you want to make racist speeches or put racist bumper stickers on your car then you should be able to. This is freedom of expression. If you enjoy having it then you cannot start to deny it to other people. Sorry, that is just the way the world is. However, the US constitution prohibits the government from denying freedom of expression. If a person makes racist comments on the radio and the radio station does not like it, then the radio station can fire the person. That is because the radio station also has freedom of speech.

However, I do not believe that a racist person should illegally discriminate in any way. The racist person cannot use race to discriminate for housing or for employment. There are other laws where racial discrimination is outlawed. Also, a racist person might have a hard time properly performing a public job such as police officer. If the racist views interfere with the legal performance of the job, then the racist needs to get another job.

Answer 3

According to the Constitution, you don't have to like anybody. And you can dislike them based on anything, no matter how frivolous. What Imus said was racist - but because of free speech, he has the right to make such crude comments.

I'm wondering how someone would propose a bill outlawing racism. That would be like making a bill that required everyone to like broccoli - you can't govern people over their preferences and taste. How would you enforce something like that? Take for instance New York's new ban on "the N-word." Will this actually stop people from using the word? And if they do, will they be fined? Thrown in jail? I don't condone the use of "the N-word" but I also don't condone outlawing words - especially when the only grounds for outlaw is that someone my find it offensive.

Answer 4

First of all, hating someone because of race (or religion, sex, economic status) is wrong. People are not born biased against other people. Bias is learned. Until people of all races and religions start teaching their children not to be biased, there is nothing the law can do.
People have a right to think whatever they want about others. The constitution protects our beliefs. That is one of the great things about the U.S. Simply changing a law will not stop people from being biased. Only changing people's way of thinking will eliminate racism.

Answer 5

You have the right to be racist - what you do not have is the right to think that everything that comes out of your mouth is okay. You "can" be racist but if you spout off your mouth in your work environment then you "can" expect to be canned if your boss so chooses.

Freedom of thought is unlimited, but Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression are limited because of environment --- for example I can think my boss is a jerk (which would be mental because I'm self-employed, but I digress) but if I say to my boss your a jerk or I wear "My boss is a jerk" on a T-shirt TO work then I can easily expect that my next free moment is going to be spent packing up my office and being newly unemployed.
Or I know if a fellow business owner who does not allow swearing while on the clock -- can his employees swear? Sure can, freedom of speech. But using that freedom will cost them their jobs, per his policy which he has the freedom to have.

So, yes you 'can' be a racists, but what you cannot be is openly offensive and not expect ramifications.

Answer 6

While it is not spelled out specifically in the Constitution, I believe everyone has the right to be racist, sexist, whatever -ist you feel like. The government cannot and should not legislate personal belief or opinion. What it can, and does, legislate is any action taken on that belief that causes harm, endangers someone, or directly violates someone else's Consitutional right

Answer 7

Yes, a person has the right to be racist. The government can't control how you think or feel. You also have the right to speak you mind about race. As long as it's within legal means. Such as your boss has the right to fire you if you use racial remarks at work since it violates workplace conduct agreements.

Answer 8

As an individual you have a right to be racist. For example, you can put in your deed of your property that no Blacks, Jews, etc. may own the property. This is legal.

But... a court is not allowed to enforce those terms since that would violate the 14th amendment.

Answer 9

You have a right to be prejudice and think what you wanna think about another race. But you do not have the right to be racist. A racist is one who hinders and oppresses another race. Example-Not hiring someone who is qualified ONLY because of their race. That is racist. Not giving someone an economic opportunity because of their color is racist. Thinking someone is lazy because they are a different color is prejudice.

Answer 10

First Amendment entitles a U.S. Citizen to be racist.
No 230 year old piece of paper or new law can tell you what to think.

It is interesting that racist organizations use the First Amendment to get their word out, even though they dislike Equality.