Friday, December 23, 2005
What Possible Benefit?
It seems clear that hate speech is something that needs addressing worldwide. In the 1990s, hate radio and TV in Yugoslavia and Rwanda were key to inciting genocidal violence based on ethnic and religious distinctions. More recently, in the US, they were key to promoting the same pathological behavior against people perceived to be Muslims, as well as in the decision to destroy two Muslim countries. Now it is being used to justify vigilante homicide against non-white immigrants.
Perhaps it's time we discussed the merits of outlawing such deadly talk. I mean, I'm at a loss to understand what possible benefit to our society is afforded by protecting the ability of media hatemongers to induce murderous bigots to act on their prejudices. It's not like we don't know what happens when they're allowed to operate unrestrained.
Perhaps it's time we discussed the merits of outlawing such deadly talk. I mean, I'm at a loss to understand what possible benefit to our society is afforded by protecting the ability of media hatemongers to induce murderous bigots to act on their prejudices. It's not like we don't know what happens when they're allowed to operate unrestrained.
