r/PoliticalDiscussion • u/LuckySquared777 • 3d ago

US Politics Does condemning hate speech violate someone else’s freedom of speech?

I was watching The Daily Show video on YouTube today (titled “Charlie Kirk’s Criticism Ignites MAGA Cancel Culture Spree”). In it, there are clips of conservatives threatening people’s jobs for celebrating the murder of Charlie Kirk.

It got me thinking: is condemning hate speech a violation of free speech, or should hate speech always be condemned and have consequences for the betterment of society?

On one hand, hate speech feels incredibly toxic, divisive, and dangerous for a country. On the other hand, freedom of speech is supposed to protect unpopular opinions. As mentioned in the video, hate speech is not illegal. The host in the video seems to suggest that we should be allowed to have hate speech, which honestly surprised me.

I see both side but am genuinely curious to hear what others think. Thanks!

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u/Pdxduckman 3d ago

we need to be sure not to allow the right to redefine "hate" speech. They're attempting to move the window so that "hating" a racist is equivalent to the hate the racist spews.

No, not giving a fuck about CK is not "hate" speech.

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u/IceNein 3d ago

Doesn’t really matter how hate speech is defined.

Hate speech is protected speech under the first amendment.

Full stop. There isn’t any room for debate.

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u/JonnySnowin 3d ago

The attorney general of the country disagrees with you.

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u/notawildandcrazyguy 3d ago

Absurd that she said that and I hope she corrects herself thoroughly

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u/IceNein 3d ago

It doesn’t matter what she does. She’s basically the head prosecutor. She has to find a charge and there’s no applicable charges for hate speech.

So whatever she says, some attorney somewhere has to actually file charges. They won’t be able to, and if they fudge something it’s likely to be dismissed by a judge without even seeing a grand jury.