Hate Speech And Offensive Speech Essay

Lyons 1

Symphoni Lyons

Steve Lewis

Writing 101/4

November 1, 2017

Should hate speech and offensive speech be illegal?

When it comes to controversial speech, it is important to know the difference between hate speech and offensive speech while also taking note of the fine line that separates them. Hate speech is targeted towards a certain race, gender, and religion, while offensive speech threatens an individual, without regard to the aforementioned traits. There have been ongoing debates to determine what type of speech is included on a person’s Constitutional right, as part of the First Amendment. The First Amendment gives the citizens of the United States of America the right to freely speak and express themselves. To be free in

Educating people at a young age about hate speech and offensive speech, and how it can affect other people, will potentially help them become better people later in life. For example, when it comes to a group of college students using a racial slur then calling it “free expression,” they need to be brought to the realization that what they’re doing is wrong and hurtful. We are raised with the idea that we shouldn’t say swear words but rarely do we hear from elders that we shouldn’t say anything offensive to other people. If everyone respected each other

Knowledge is power. It is important to learn how to refrain from being offensive, both on and off the internet. The anonymity that a screen provides makes it easy for hateful or offensive speech to be posted without concern for the consequences, and that poses a serious threat to everyone's online safety.

“American free speech jurisprudence relies on the assumption that speech is merely the extension of a thought and not an action” (260). If every word was treated as an action a lot fewer people would openly spew hate in the world. People’s actions are noted and criticized or praised every day. If hateful words started to have the same consequences that hateful actions have, then hate speech would be lessened significantly.

Whether it’s hate speech or offensive speech, it will always be hard to pinpoint what is considered to be “too far.” From flag burning to saying slurs, each statement or action can be understood or misunderstood differently by different people.There needs to be more emphasis on the power of words and how words can affect other people. We should be able to report hate in all of its forms without feeling ashamed or afraid. The freedom of speech should not mean jeopardizing other people’s sense of safety within their own communities, lest we all suffer from the carelessness of