Facebook shouldn’t censor nationalism

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

I find white nationalism abhorrent, but offensive statements are made every day everywhere. People have different opinions, and some people do go out of their way to get under the skin of others and worse. With Facebook banning explicit praise, support or representation of white nationalism and white separatism on Facebook and Instagram, the social media giant is helping raise an entire generation of people who have no idea how to foster civility and how to discuss a troubling issue without resorting to screaming or swinging. Or people who, when they don’t like or believe in something, don’t know how to turn it off or try to understand the motivations behind something.

Only by understanding all sides can one fully understand a problem. Many of us don’t want to hear much of what is in the public domain, but I wonder, when we begin censorship of any kind, who will censor the censor?

Gerald Hoffman New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

FACEBOOK USA TODAY OPINION

This is a great move by Facebook. It’s also important to focus on the fact that Twitter encourages racism and white supremacist followers by looking the other way when these types of messages are hurled on their platform. Chip Shirley

I fully agree that racism of any kind is wrong! I also believe that racism should be defined as an action, not a word or thought.

This action by Facebook will only make right-leaning people affirm that they are being attacked by the left and have them become more entrenched in their beliefs. Steve Abee

So will President Donald Trump and some Republicans, the greatest proliferators of white nationalism and racism, be booted off Facebook or Instagram?

Andrew Jason Neumann

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