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I Believe In Free Speech, Even If I Don't Like The Message

I don't normally make political posts but I just had a discussion with a friend about banning hate speech and that really made me think about how serious of an issue it is for people who do want to ban hate speech. Do they not realize that in banning hate speech, they're giving up their own rights to free speech as much as those they want to silence? What happened to "sticks and bones may break my bones but words can never hurt me"? I think those who want to restrict the freedom of others just so they can feel more comfortable are the ones who deserve it the least.

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NativeOregonian · 51-55

Hate speech deserves to be banned. If you think sticks and stones is just some harmless rhyme, then you never experienced it, or even severe verbal abuse by a parent and siblings, as well as extended family, while growing up.

PerchingDove · F

@NativeOregonian I grew up with a lot of racism and discrimination, actually. I know how emotionally hurtful hateful words can be. But they’re only words, often made by ignorant people who just like to be hateful to distract themselves from their own miserable lives. That’s all the reason one needs to not take them seriously.

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@PerchingDove The problem is that those that tend to use such words also have violent homicidal tendencies as well, so they're not just words. I am afraid to ask how many of your friends and family were subjected to such violence and hate :(

PerchingDove · F

@NativeOregonian In that case, those are actions. We can't ban all hate speech just because some who use it also commit violent acts. When it stops being hate speech and becomes hate crimes, that's when it becomes serious.

NativeOregonian · 51-55

@PerchingDove Too many hate speeches have instigated hate crimes and thus should be banned.

PerchingDove · F

@NativeOregonian I don’t agree. There’s an easier way to deal with that doesn’t involve banning free speech.