Should There Be Bans On Hate Speech ?

Unlike in the US, where "Hate Speech" is protected by the First Amendment, in Canada there is legislation in place that forbids people from being able to spout hate speech aimed at certain groups. They see it as the same as yelling "fire" in a crowded theather. Do you think they may be on to something, that not all "speech" (particularly the kind that is indignant at certain groups...such as women, jewish, blacks, gays, etc) should be "protected", or is our system of ALL speech being acceptable - no matter how unkind - the better way to go?

It's a funny thing about free speech in America, even though we have freedom of speech, there is still what's called UNprotected speech, and it's usually the hateful, vulgar, obscene stuff, but funny you never hear that, somebody wants to say something awful, they're protected by the Constitution supposedly...but on the other hand, it's to my understanding that originally the Amendment was written so speech that encouraged or provoked violence rather than discussion wasn't to be allowed, so I don't know, the whole thing's confusing.

I'm glad Hate Speech is a crime in Canada.

When the only point of spreading information is to hurt an identifiable group... There's no need for it.

Canadian laws have a tendency to be too neutered. Hate speech is deplorable, vile and all that good....errrr, bad....stuff....but I am very uncomfortable with limitations on ANY speech, which is exactly what this is. When the government starts restricting one's speech against you, it's not long before they can restrict the speech your speech as well.

I've always liked Canada. If I move out of this country....I'd definitely relocate there. I like their idea, but I like ours more with the establishment of the First Amendment. Cause essentially, all you're doing is talking. Fuck it, say what you want because words don't hurt....if it turns into a hate crime, then we have a problem.

I have a freedom of speech but that doesn't give me a right to yell out "fire" in a crowded theater. Everyone certainly has a right to say whatever they like unless and until it begins to step on someone else's rights. Expressing hate against individuals or any group is not a protected right.

I think one difference between the US and Canada is that we don't see a need to forbid by law everything we object to. We use other means when possible. And the trouble with restricting any form of speech is that the people in power determine what's restricted. What happens in Canada when some Christian loony calls for the arrest of someone who said that "The God of the Bible isn't the only God," claiming that it's hate speech against Christians?

No doubt that you'd find some sensible Canadian way to work it all out. I'm an admirer of many things about Canada, but its whole system requires people to be sane and reasonable all the time...and while there's a higher percentage in Canada than in the US of sane, reasonable people, it's not 100%, and that makes it a dangerous thing to rely on.

The problem with banning hate speech is I don't want some government crony deciding what is and isn't hate cause I've seen how their double standards work. One group can say "I love God" and be accused of hate speech while others can shout threats of violence towards another group and for them it's merely "free speech." So no to banning "hate speech," at least in this country. If they could do it right, I'd consider it, but they can't do it right.

Basically the US has it's rights and we Canadian have our rights. UK, Germany, France, China all have there own rights.

The moral of the story boys and girls is that when you go to another country, your rules no longer apply. You agree to follow the rules of the country that your in. If you can't then do go there. It's as simple as that.

Here in Canada, the rights of the many out weight the rights of the individual. That's just the way our country has always been. Yes, we look like Americans, we share the same culture as Americans but we play the global and rights game different then you guys. So stop saying that free speech is not fair here in Canada. These hate laws stop idiots from becoming a public disturbance. If you really want 100% total free speech for hate rhetoric, we'll give that to you...in a 6x12 cell, with 3 meals a day. We just won't give you an audience to do it in front of.

If you silence a bigot, you legitimize their hateful speech.

DarkOblivion wrote:If you silence a bigot, you legitimize their hateful speech.

Yep. Silencing them allows them to play the martyr/victim....or look for sneakier ways to display their bigotry. I'd rather know where someone stands upfront than to have to sit there and try to dissect their cloaked wordplay.

I think any kind of legislation to ban hate speech could end up going far beyond the original intent. I don't see how this wouldn't branch out into other things. It would probably be a matter of time before speaking out against government would be a crime. We would end up with a country full of people afraid to speak. There's so much potential for where it could lead. This site probably wouldn't be allowed to exist.

Hate speech is disgusting but banning it wouldn't stop the hatred itself, which is the real problem.

CeCe wrote:I think any kind of legislation to ban hate speech could end up going far beyond the original intent. I don't see how this wouldn't branch out into other things. It would probably be a matter of time before speaking out against government would be a crime. We would end up with a country full of people afraid to speak. There's so much potential for where it could lead. This site probably wouldn't be allowed to exist.

Hate speech is disgusting but banning it wouldn't stop the hatred itself, which is the real problem.

That's true. Putting bans on hate speech just sweeps the problem under the rug. From there the hate would just go underground, but it would still be there.

It should but in the US it will always be protected I am afraid by the fifth and people get to sprew as much hate as they choose to.

Marc wrote:...Hate speech is deplorable, vile and all that good....errrr, bad....stuff....but I am very uncomfortable with limitations on ANY speech, which is exactly what this is. When the government starts restricting one's speech against you, it's not long before they can restrict the speech your speech as well.

Exactly!

Doesn't hate speech constitutes "disturbing the peace" at some point? Maybe not an outright ban, but if some guy is standing on the corner and being a public nuisance, then I say fine him.