Hate speech declared illegal in the United States?

Question

I'm curious in seeing some opinions on a hypothetic situation. If the U.S. government tried to start passing laws against hate speech stating that it wasn't protected by the first amendment, how would you react?

Would you care? Would you see it as infringing on 1st amendment rights or a necessary step? Would you protest it (either online or in the street)? For that matter - would you be scared you'd be branded as a racist if you protested it?

Just curious.

Answer 1

One man's "hate speech" is another man's free speech. We have a first amendment. Hate speech laws would nullify it. I think the founding fathers were a little smarter than today's pandering politicians.

Answer 2

I would react to any infringement of my Constitutional rights the same way - with anger. Of course I would care and I would protest any way I could, including breaking the law.

I'm a loving individual and I try not to say things that will hurt other people, but I'm sick to death of the thought police. Enacting a law like this is the first step to eliminating freedom of thought or speech, The problem is that it wouldn't just stop with this law.

I'm frankly not that sensitive about what people think or say. I will be judged by my good works. I'm not afraid of being "branded" anything. It is my right, no, my duty as a citizen to protest any unjust law. This does not make me unpatriotic, I think it takes a true patriot to love their country and the things that made it great enough to stand up for some basic principles. I personally don't like anyone messing with the Bill of Rights and if we don't get a handle on this invasion of our right to privacy thing, the government is going to be well on it's way to creating a police state.

People have a right to be stupid and they have a right to say things that are just wrong. If we were to have such a law, where would it end? If we were to disagree with the position of the government, could we be tried under the "hate speech" law or worse, for treason?

This is a bad, bad idea.

Answer 3

I guess it would depend on the definition. If it meant that you couldn't say " I hate blacks, or I hate Jews, then that is a matter of opinion and I would protest it. If it meant saying " everyone should kill the blacks or Jews, or if you are Rush, the Democrats, I don't know. Would have to think about it. But not for long. Mostly that is just an opinion too. I think hate crimes are BS so I would think hate speech is too, unless it incites someone to actually commit a crime after listening to it.

Answer 4

I am against any legislation of speech that does not imply or threaten bodily harm or injury to another person, incite or defame.

We cannot be free without free speech.

That said, the person could still be fired from their job, because an employer has a right to maintain a certain environment at the workplace.

So, we should have the freedom to say anything we like, but are still bound by

Answer 5

This is one of those situation where it could save us or kill us. It seems that the "free speech" movement of the "70's" has devolved into the free to offend movement of the 21st century. In Canada it is illegal to preach or even read a certain part of the Bible because gay folks are offended. When we look at history we see that censorship certainly did delay human progress. But then maybe some speech is not progress at all. Ideas should be free flowing and ideas flow though language.

Answer 6

You cannot legally regulate morality. Silencing people is not going to stop racist or otherwise hateful thoughts. Making "hate speech" illegal is not only oppressive, it lacks logic. It sounds good to the ignorant or idealistic, but how would it be enforced? Could you imagine seeing people getting arrested in the streets for SAYING something? I will fight for someone's right to say negative things about me, because I can think a little farther into the future than can a seven year old.

Answer 7

Hate speech is most certainly allowed, in a more responsible environment where children aren't being present.
But to sit there and commit a crime because of your prejudice and hatred should be considered a worse crime than a crime of passion, for the simple fact that once the hate spews from your mouth, you have already made the decision to abuse another human being.
To sit there and ridicule someone for your own prejudice is one thing, but shouting out to a crowd..."kill all the ..." is entirely another and is nothing more than inciting violence and violation of the law, and the rights of others.

anyone who will preach hate against their fellow American, who has done nothing wrong but have different views, or be a different color, are unAMerican.

Answer 8

Freedom of Speech is a myth, as is the "Right to Bear Arms".

It's ok to use hate speech against whitey, but you can never ever say the "N" (shhhhhhh) word for fear of instant media attention and reprisal.

Examples: Michael Richards, Dog the Bounty Hunter (both had their careers ended).

Other examples for the opposite: Kanye West (doing well hating whitey and the president)

Answer 9

Hate speech is merely a precursor to hate crimes and should be outlawed and the person(s) responsible should be 1. sent to live in the county/race against which they are "preaching", 2. long jail terms, or 3. heavy fines, or a combination of all three.
The 1st amendment is a much abused sentence. Yes, it's one sentence, albeit a "run-on" sentence. We do not need a supreme court to tell us what it means, most Americans can read! The ACLU is a law unto itself, and causes more hardship than it solves. Hate mongers and anti religious activists have NO place in American society!!

Answer 10

The concept of "hate speech" is protected under the First Amendment.

The Left is attempting to change this now.

The problem is, who "defines" hate speech?

I Canada, now, a Christian minister can be arrested for preaching what the Bible teaches, that homosexuality is wrong.

In the end, whoever can control Congress will define hate speech to be whatever they want it to be.

Hillary will decide that to support any other candidate but her, is hate speech.