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Hate Speech

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Hate Speech
Tricia Bilbrey
Grand Canyon University
PHI
305

September 18, 2011

Hate Speech
The studied article reviews several cases where hate speech or “fighting words” were used against minorities. The views of 1st Amendment supporters and those opposed to hate speech were compared. The question still remains: Should hate speech be protected by the US Constitution?
The number of hate groups in America today has reached over the thousand marks. That is an increase of 7.5% since 2010. ("CNN U.S.," 2011) This statistic was mind-blowing for me. Maybe it’s because I didn’t want to believe it was true.
In the article it is mentioned that protecting this form of free speech would limit government control. Supporters of the 1st Amendment feel that we should combat this issue with groups that oppose hate speech. They fear that if the government is allowed to limit our speech, then we are allowing the government to limit our opinions.
There are many valid claims stated in this article supporting the ban of hate speech in the US. Some say that hate speech promotes fear, threats and violence in the lives of minorities. Others agree that protecting this form of free speech encourages inequality and segregation. Does the use of speaking with hatred persuade Americans to get their point across using vulgar and degrading, sometimes even forceful words? I feel that it does all of these things and more. Emotions are at high peaks during a demonstration that comes to a violent end. Strong individuals have the power to influence more hatred and violence.
We are governed by an outdated Constitution that almost encourages conflict. Amending the Constitution would give our modern, multi-ethnic nation a chance to embrace systemic change if we have any hope to match our ideals of democracy with the realities of our political practices. The creation of the

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