HATE SPEEECH IS FREE SPEECH PROTECTED BY FIRST AMENDMENT

HATE SPEECH IS FREE SPEECH

By: Derek Varsalona

It is wrong to hate anyone.  But the fact of the matter is hate speech no matter how vile it is still protects speech under the First Amendment.

President Biden has raised the issue by countering hate speech with the rise in antisemitism in this country.  It is wrong to hate anyone, especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day. But let us remember that the Holocaust was not just about killing 6 million Jews, although that is sad.  Countless amount of disabled prisoners, gay/lesbian prisoners, Catholic Priests, and gypsy people were also sent to the concentration camps.  However wrong it is, and it is wrong hate speech is still protected under the First Amendment as freedom of speech.  Acting on speech to commit a violent act is when hate speech crosses into a crime.

The Hamas attack on Israel is saddening and sickening.  I believe October 7, 2024, will live in infamy right up there with the Holocaust and September 11, 2001.  I do support a peaceful protest to express your view for or against Israel and Palestine.  Where it crosses the line is when free speech becomes an act of violence.  An act of violence is a crime, the act of written words, lyrics, posters, etc. are protected by the First Amendment.  Yes, hate speech no matter how vile it is his freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment.  There have been many times I have been called gimpy.  But there is really no crime in someone calling me that for my disability.  They have the right to be immature and have the right to express that view under the First Amendment is protects hate speech.  Where it closes the line into a crime is if I am physically assaulted. A verbal assault is protected even if it is hate speech.

America should not be involved in the Israel-Hamas-Palestine war.  We have given too much money and too much American blood has been risked in the name of the defense of Israel.  Being that we support Israel in every incident is one of the reasons the September 11, 2001, attacks occurred in America.

As for the schools and Universities, let each school control its own security.  As always comments accepted.

Hate Speech is free speech
Image: CNN.com
June 1, 2017
Elliot McLaughlin

Source: President Joseph R. Biden. “Biden Harris Administration Ramps Up Actions to Counter AntiSemitism on College Campuses and Protect Jewish Students.” whitehouse.gov Washington, DC: Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/07/biden-harris-administration-ramps-up-actions-to-counter-antisemitism-on-college-campuses-and-protect-jewish-communities/