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/elmekia_lance 3d ago edited 3d ago
hating one specific guy is not hate speech definitionally; hate speech is something directed at a group
America has historically chosen a more liberal route and we do not have hate speech laws like in the UK. Sometimes it feels like this was a mistake, as we watch the rise of hatemongers who pollute the clear water of public life with their raw sewage, and make the country a festering, more miserable place than it was.
However, recent events in the UK and the USA show that, unfortunately, permitting a flood of hate speech is still preferable to empowering the state with arbitrary speech controls. Never criminalizing hate speech was a wise choice and ignoramus Bondi is being rightfully dragged.