Hate Speech

Recently, I did a couple of videos on hate speech. Mainly I spoke about how what we say affects those who respect us and we have authority over.

I thought about the kids in Muslim countries who grow up learning that Jews are akin to goats or dogs. Also, how many American parents refer to Muslims with racial epithets to their kids. How those words affect those they are in charge of can be devastating not just to the child, but to a nation.

Do our words have power? Of course they do, but to what extent does our verbal energy affect others? This is where it gets tricky.

I believe whole heartedly in free speech. I think it's not the government's job to be thought police or censor our speech. But the implications of speech by authority is a different issue.

I suggest a two fold path. #1 I think that if a person of authority abuses their power by using hate speech to manipulate their charges to do violence or extreme prejudice, that they should be considered conspirators in such an act. Some anger at the concept of prosecuting someone for speech, but this is already being done by our government. Inciting violence is a crime and one that should be taken seriously. This type of hate speech destroys lives and enslaves nations.

#2 I think that we should practice social responsibility. As a people, as we look down on hate crimes, we should also look down on hate speech. It should not be excused for religious reasons to hate others. Those who profess religious reasons for hate or discrimination should be scrutinized not because they are religious but because they excuse bigotry in that fashion.

#3 We need to tread carefully. Think not of a joke meant in good humor as something to be prosecuted or persecuted. Allow people to freely criticize ideas, religious or otherwise. Ideas have no feelings, no emotions and most importantly, do not bleed. You cannot gouge out the eyes of an idea.