Is it time to consider limits on hateful speech?
Our country was founded upon the concept of liberty and freedom for people of divergent views and religions to be able to share their differences of opinion in society freely, without government interference. This is the core of the First Amendment protection of free speech.
One day, I overheard two people having a political argument, and after one spoke, the other said in effect, “I disagree with everything you say, but I would defend to the death the right for you to say it!” The question we are facing after the pipe bomber and the deadly massacre of innocents in a Jewish temple in Pittsburgh, is when does free speech cross the line ... into “crying fire in a crowded theater?”
Free speech can challenge a society when it is based on racism, vengeful, and full of lies used to incite hatred in others. We all know how difficult it is for Americans today to have a conversation about national and world affairs because of the very different and passionate views held. There has unfortunately long been talk about the “global conspiracy” by rich people of the world who get together to push “globalism,” which is tainted by some as an evil thing. The “globalists” are often described as rich Jewish bankers who pull the strings on what happens in the world, bending politicians in the U.S. and in the world to their will. Multinational organizations that promote countries to work together, like the U.N., the World Bank, the International Criminal Court etc. are looked upon as part of the secret agenda to control world affairs by a cabal of rich Jews. Many people who consider themselves “Nationalist” and who reject globalism hold this view, that often comes from a deeply Xenophobic and anti-Semitic racist ideology that has existed for hundreds of years.
Many have attempted to justify atrocities against Jews because of a world view similar to what I just described. Jews have been discriminated and vilified in every country they have lived, since biblical times. The United States took in many Jewish refugees escaping Nazi Germany, and many other countries that have attacked and discriminated against Jews ... almost every country has shameful examples of attacking Jews. Historically, the U.S. and Israel are about the only countries where Jewish people have been able to feel safe.
That feeling has been shattered, when a gunman took an AR-15 and three handguns and massacred 11 people, wounding six others because he shares this world view. He railed against Jews and the Jewish agency HIAS that is responsible for helping immigrants get settled in the U.S. for many years. The question we are facing as a society is .... can extreme violence be incited by free speech, and are there limits to hateful rhetoric?
We have never had a president that peddles conspiracy theories and racist, hateful ideology and rhetoric as we do today. President Trump’s lies about the immigrant caravan coming from Central America to “infest and invade” the U.S. (racist) filled with “Middle Easterners” (lies to scare), with his warning about illegal immigrants who have possible terrorists in their group, have inflamed many of his followers to demonize “the other” instead of finding compassion for those who are fleeing violence in search of a safe place to live for their families.
Instead of protecting America from terrorists, Trump inspires homegrown terrorists, like the man who sent bombs in the mail to all of Trumps political enemies, who he constantly slams in his rallies, and this mad shooter at the Pittsburg synagogue. His hateful messages are exactly like any petty dictator and strong man blaming “the other” (Muslims, blacks, his political enemies) as being unAmerican, disloyal, and downright evil. His dangerous rhetoric and attacks are designed to divide Americans, not unify them, and now have inspired actual violence.
He has given permission for racism, anti-Semitism and hatred to be front and center in American discourse. When is this type of hate speech beyond the bounds of the First Amendment? Will it take an election or an impeachment to solve this Constitutional dilemma?
Society’s question today is this: Is there any limit on free speech for someone in office who inspires violence?
Let’s please judge people on what they say, not some grand conspiracy to fool the people. Politicians usually do what they say they will do, as President Trump is proving every day. As we face a consequential election, let’s reject the dangerous vision of hate and bigotry, and look for those leaders who inspire hope, and the better angels of our nature to work together for a better America. Our future depends on who we choose to follow, and how we decide to speak and act. If we want a better, more humane America, it is up to us to make it happen.