Hate Speech
Have you ever wanted to say something, but feared that the consequences of your words might be too great? Or, have you ever had to tell someone to watch their language because they might be offending other people? What if the leader of a white supremacist group, like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), was giving a speech, would you tell them to watch their language or think that they are wrong for speaking their mind? There is really nothing that can be done to stop anyone from expressing him or herself verbally. Sure, there will be consequences for their actions, for example: riots, fights, etc, but nevertheless, people can speak their minds wherever and whenever they want. Hate speech is defined as the contemporary means by which the majority subjugates minorities (unt.edu). Hate speech is a topic of issue for many people and right's activist groups also. There are those who oppose hate speech, while others defend it, since hate speech is protected by the first amendment. The controversy of hate speech has resulted in the establishment of speech codes. These speech codes were put in place to prevent fighting words, but most universities went beyond preventing fighting words. Some examples of the
Even though he isn't the leader of the KKK, Bill O'Reilly's comments are also a form of hate speech. Many arguments are made that hate speech violates the rights of other people, but in reality, people have the choice to access or restrict themselves from any kind of information. Knowing that speech codes are a violation of the Constitution, how did universities adopt speech codes in the first place? After the attacks on September 11, many people who, for the most part, do not attack specific groups of people, race, or ethnicity, have been noted for making racially motivated comments. Bill O'Reilly clearly expresses his resentment of the Afghan people in this statement. The guarantee of the right to free speech clearly gives the right for everyone to speak his or her mind. "The decision to adopt speech codes was due to the verbal abuse and violence directed to the people of color, lesbians, and gay men" (American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)). Therefore, speech codes are a clear violation of the first amendment. The Afghans are responsible for the Taliban. That's the wrong response, well-meaning or not. It is an issue that can be debated for hours, even days without any interruptions. Many organizations including the ACLU disagree with the decision for college campuses having speech codes. Speech codes adopted by government-financed state colleges and universities amount to government censorship, in violation of the Constitution. But since he is only exercising his right to express his viewpoints, Bill O'Reilly's actions are Constitutional and perfectly legal. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects speech no matter how offensive its content.
Common topics in this essay:
Klan KKK,
America Odds,
Bill O'Reilly's,
University Wisconsin,
Union ACLU,
Bill O'Reilly,
Hentoff Knowing,
Constitution Congress,
United Constitution,
Briefing Paper,
speech codes,
hate speech,
violation constitution,
codes violation,
speech codes violation,
colleges universities,
violation constitution universities,
live constitution,
codes adopted,
fighting words,
amendment united constitution,
controversy hate,
america odds 42,
speech codes adopted,
offended choose,
|
Acceptance Essays
