A Word on "Hate Speech"

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Is it not a sad state of affairs that this phrase is so often used without regard to its true meaning?

In a World of agendas and hyperbole, the concept of a language weaponized has long since been a reality.

One can use one's words as weapons. And some among us certainly do.

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Before delving too deeply into this matter I would recommend giving the following a quick read as they help to provide a framing context for that which is going to be stated below.

• Making a Case for Reason Over Outrage.

• Master Your Anger.

Hmmm? Why do I keep treating these prickly topics?

Well, the weaponized nature of the phrase "hate speech" and equivalent phrases results in a bogey man that few are inclined to touch or even freely consider. This stifles peoples' ability to think and so the seeds of ignorance are sown.

As such, somebody needs to call things out before they continue to spurn prejudice, violence, wars and worse.

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We use the term "Hate Speech" for Various Reasons

Some of us do it for the purpose of taking shortcuts.

Either we are so sure that we are so "right" that others "have" to be mistaken... or we simply don't "care" that we might be wrong - this course of action best suiting our agenda.

And yes, some do peruse of these means with the intent of personally gaining from the bringing down of others.

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So... what of Hate Speech?

Our ability to abuse and weaponize language is partially dependent upon the degree of ignorance present in the general atmosphere surrounding a subject concerned.

The most dangerous of these concerned subject matters where structures of hysteria, hyperbole and fallacies are tentatively built upon little seeds of truth.

In history one can find numerous example of such.

The relative health of Jews during the period of the Black Plague due to their cleaner living habits drew the ire of those around them.

Countless accusations of witchcraft were made upon the most ludicrous of claims extrapolated from the most innocuous of acts (one could be accused of simply looking at people or cattle funny), uttered by those generally motivated by either jealousy or greed. And this is not entirely in the past. Parts of Africa cling to these ways - with regular convictions even today.

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We use words as weapons against each other all the time.

Of mysoginists and "feminazis"...

Of godless heathen and "bible-thumpers"...

Of "niggers" and "crackers"...

Of "commies" and "libtards"...

One could go on and on... and on... and on...

Many terms are unflattering... insulting... but is it truly "hate speech"?

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What is Hate?

Love and hate may be simplified as follows.

If one should derive happiness from the fortune of another than one has love for that person.

If one should derive happiness from the misfortune of another than one has hatred for that person.

The degree of love or hate will certainly vary as it is much more of a scale than a binary switch - but that is the low-down on the matter.

Now, with that out of the way - how does this apply to "Hate Speech"?

• Does calling a person a derogatory term constitute "Hate Speech"?

• Does attributing something unflattering to a person constitute "Hate Speech"?

I'd argue that no, while such do constitute a lack of regards to the person in question, such does not necessarily constitute "Hate Speech". Some actually know not what they are truly saying - including when using the term "hate".

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With that being said, let me similarly provide a simplified statement as to what actually constitutes "Hate Speech".

Hate Speech may be considered any statement made with the intent to either bring about harm to a person or group - or to inspire others to bring about harm to such. Harm may also come in the form of an unjustified revoking of rights.

It is not the 'reasoned' statement of a truth, nor is it a statement that results in offense being taken.

One can seek to insult others as a means of seeking to harm them - and that brings me to another point.

"Hate Speech" is a thing that can come in varying degrees of intensity.

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An insult is not equal to a threat. A direct threat is not equal to an implied suggestion.

Example:

• I am going to kill Joe Blogs'!
• Joe Blogs is [insert a bunch of false things here]!
• Joe Blogs shouldn't be allowed to live here!
• Joe Blogs deserves to die [with or without reasons attached]!

Of course, 'Joe Blogs' is a fictional character - and the above is merely presented as examples of hate speech to increasing degrees of severity. While a personal threat is serious - its less serious than seeking to inspire others to act upon such.

And, yes, some people do choose to hide behind claims of exercising their right to Free Speech.

Which to a point is correct - except that they forget that every Right entails a Responsibility.

And unfortunately there are those who care not about lumping them together.

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For those readers who might have allowed their thoughts to stray into 'judgment land' - I'm not saying "hate speech" is in any way a good thing. Again - Rights and Responsibilities.

That being said, our imperfect understanding of what actually constitutes "hate speech" can result in some ludicrous situations that would be funny were they not also tragic.

The careless attribution of weaponized phrases such as "hate speech" can result in collateral as the seeds of critical thinking and satire are down-trodden in the pursuit of political correctness.

It promotes a selective perspective of the World... and this makes no sense.

For instance. Let us take the following.

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No, I'm not from Tehran - but couldn't find another version of the image without the comment.

What do you see?

• An attack upon Jews? Or...

• A reminder that not all is well in Palestine/Israel - and that people continue to suffer to this day?

Would criticism or an invitation to acknowledge this latter truth constitute "anti-semitism" or "hate speech"?

Is this not what Society has steadily been taught to take for granted?

What does it mean today to be labeled a "rabid anti-semite" or some such?

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Fortunately less than it used to be, say, a decade or more ago.

Is it fortunate because Jews have a less effective verbal "line of defense"? No.

It is fortunate in the same way as its fortunate that police officers' irresponsible use of tasers is increasingly coming under scrutiny. The over-use and the misuse of the "anti-semite" label has distilled the power that it once had (not that a label should ever really have been considered an acceptable substitute to engaging in thinking or even reasoned debate, where appropriate) - and it should be noted that plenty of groups engage in verbose hyperbole, not just those who would do so with the "anti-semite" label.

What is 'wrong' with such terms is that they take the collective "heritage" of the groups that the term has been used against (such as the Nazis in WWII Germany) and plaster such all over target individuals for not 'rolling over and presenting their tummies' in situations where more serious debate and hard questions being asked and receiving answers is justified.

Again, Rights and Responsibilities.

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With Greater Understanding Comes a Brighter Horizon.

We humans are ever evolving.

True, there are obstacles that impede our evolution...

...tragedies... false directions... distractions...

...but we are capable of rising beyond the faults that have defined our past.

Along with those faults we have also carried virtues, fragments of ideology that exist independently of the hyperbole of the few* who would and do misguide us - who seek to lead us astray upon pursuits that set us at odds with each other - in order to divide us. Divide and conquer, as they say.

(* and, no, I do not refer to the Jews (since I had mentioned them earlier in illustrating a point))

"Hate Speech", both as a term when abusively attributed, as well as statements that would truly classify as such all serve to divide us. By race, nation, gender, age, orientation, creed, health, wealth, language, viewpoint or otherwise - we have allowed these ruinous forces to further separate us and forge a World of fear, mistrust and contempt.

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One day I may delve further into the dysfunctionality of the World that we exist within - but that deserves a topic all of its own. In the meantime be mindful of the words that you would attribute to others. Words have power - and not only in a public situation. Psychological abuse is an unfortunate reality and it is hoped that you are more able to identify such.

The best response to an abusively given label is often a question that forces the abuser to qualify their statement. Just keep in mind that the practice has become so wide-spread that some will not realize that they are engaging in it. and many of those who either do or are too proud to back down will resort to circular arguments and arguments weakly and hastily constructed post-questioning.

Good luck. We need more room to breathe.

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Well I hope that you found this topic to be thought provoking or otherwise worthy of your read. :c) Do you have any comments or feedback? Do get in on the discussion down below as I'm looking forward to hearing about it regardless of whether you find yourself in agreement or not!

Also, if you found this post interesting and would like to share this with your followers and friends then a resteem is always appreciated.

Sincerely,

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