Caddell 1Alaziah CaddellProfessor Ameera MarkosEnglish 121021 October 2016Should Hate Speech be Illegal?Hate Speech vs. Freedom of SpeechHate Speech is “a term for speech intended to degrade person or group of people based ontheir race, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language ability, ideology, social class, occupation, appearance (height, weight, hair color, etc.), mental capacity, and any other distinction that might be considered by some as a liability.(York, par. 3) In other words, when these forms of speech are used the expectation is to intimidate, offend, or even threaten someone with their words. Hate speech is more commonly found over the internet on various social media outlets, Hate groups, and even political arenas. The initial dispute amongst the people is will Hate speech result in bodily harm being that they are just “words” and is it really necessary to ban it? The first amendment is seemingly broad, cut dry regulations but there are limitations under the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and expression laws as well as forms of speech that are unprotected. “The First Amendment of the Constitution, included in the Bill of Rights, says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
