Uchies wrote:
The idea of free-speech specifically being in place to protect unpopular opinions (why would you need a protection for speech that everyone agrees with?) vs. "hate speech" (defined as unpopular or "ugly" speech with no direct call to violence) not being protected under the first amendment.
That seems to be a heated topic that many people get angry about, and therefore controversial.
Hey, funny i wrote a paper sophomore year of HS about freedom of speech / 1st amendment. May not be entirely directed to what you wrote but relates.
Here's the first bit of it, surprised it's still saved in my google docs:
Quote:
“I believe in freedom of speech, but I believe we should also have the right to comment on freedom of speech.” A quote by Stockwell Day
The first amendment is misinterpreted in many ways. Many people commonly, incorrectly, presume that freedom of speech means that we’re allowed to say whatever we feel and not experience any opposition and tend to immediately assume that their comments are automatically protected by the 1st Amendment; however, as stated in the amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech. . .” and so on, while the government must respect and can not prohibit free speech that does not include private businesses or the general public. Actually, it does not violate the first amendment, as people, we have the right to say whatever we want; although, you have to keep in mind others have the right to dislike, criticize, and challenge what we say. They have a right to hold us accountable and that is in no way a violation of free speech rights.