Paper Outline

 

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Paper Outline

Does freedom of speech give people the right to use “hate speech”?

Introduction: In the United States of America people are proud to call it the land of the free and the home of the brave. This country was founded on the principle that the people should be free to practice any religion, say what they want and much more. Freedom of speech is outlined in the first Amendment and is made to protect all forms of speech, especially unpopular speech. Freedom of speech has always been challenged and is being threatened to this day. Some people say that "hate speech" is not protected by hate speech. I disagree, I think that freedom of speech gives people the right to say anything as long as it is not a threat to any ones safety. You either have freedom of speech in America or you don’t. Offending someone should not lead to civil prosecution because everyone can just about find anything offensive. For example just stating your personal political opinion can hurt someone's feelings. I don't agree with offending someone intentionally and I'll never do that but they have the freedom to say as they wish because of the first amendment.

Support: 

1. Explain locations that ban free speech. (some college campuses)

2. Show cases that prosecuted people for offending someone. (Canada article)

3. Evidence that free speech challenges and creates new ideas (peer reviewed articles)

4. Explain that free speech is crucial in a democratic society

5. Explain hypocrisy in the argument that hate speech does not equal violence or threats.

Conclusion: Those are the reasons for why freedom of speech is worth fighting for and if we allow people to change the rules we will lose it forever. I am not advocating for hateful speech. I just want people to understand that even if you disagree or are offended by someone intentionally trying to make you upset censorship is not the answer. It can be done in many methods and is in danger.

Sources:

1. Archard, David D. “Insults, Free Speech and Offensiveness.” EBSCO, Journal of Applied Philosophy, May 2014,  

2. Barry, Munitz. “CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS    TO FREE SPEECH.” EbscoHost, EBSCO, 1 Sept. 1991,  

 3. Bossaller, Jenny S. “What We Talk about When We Talk about Free Speech.” EBSCO, Library Quarterly, Jan. 2015, 

4. “Hate Speech on Campus.” American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, 2017, www.aclu.org/other

5. Tomlins, Stevens. “The Freedom To Offend?” EBSCO, Journal Of Church And State, 2015,