[split] PSA: Hate Speech (discussion of video etc)

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

If you disapprove of it, then say so loudly.

I thought I was.  By saying the young men should be brought up on charges.  But I get it:  It isn't enough for me to disapprove of their behavior - I have to do so in a manner and at a volume acceptable to you.  I'll try and do better.

 

As it is, it seems like you're saying that the justice system has something to do about the violent ones, but society is mostly saying "you did good in beating up that racist".

I'm hardly accountable for what society says.  While beating up racists is not always a bad thing, it was in this instance.

This attitude will only increase the violence.

You may be right.

 

If we have video of it happening, then I imagine people are rising up violently over this particular word quite frequently. They're being led to believe by the society around them that it's an acceptable and even expected reaction and that not doing so is wrong or a show of weakness. Is this the society you want to live in?

I suspect you're putting too much emphasis on the likelihood of their actions being reasoned out. What happened was a visceral reaction, not a rational one.

No, I do not think it's a stupid position to take.
Call me an idealist, but I do believe that mankind can live in peace.
"Violence is ok" is a rather stupid position to take, don't you think?

If I had said 'violence is always ok', I'd agree with you.  But to claim violence is never ok doesn't hold up.  Would you commit a violent act to save someone else from injury or death?  There was a news story a few weeks ago about a woman on a train being repeated kicked by a man.  The other passengers leapt into action - they all got their phones out.

So I would probably agree with the statement, 'Violence is sometimes OK.'

If you are to change society, that is to change all bullies, ignoring them is one of the best ways to silence them forever.

Then again, it might just encourage them.  If they think they can use the word with impunity (which is what you're suggesting), might that not lead them to stronger language and stronger actions?

Keep giving them the spotlight, keep reacting to their insults, keep applauding those who react to those insults, and you'll keep reinforcing the bully attitude.

So...empower that attitude?

Take the power away from the word, by ignoring it, and the bullies will stop using it.... maybe they'll come up with other insults or other bullying tactics - but those are to be dealt with when they come.

Brilliant!  Bring back lynching and we'll worry about it when it happens.

I'll reiterate, telling people "don't use this word or suffer the consequences" is victim blaming and far from the best way to deal with the situation.

But I'm not telling anyone that.  I'm telling them, 'If you use this word, you can expect consequences, because people have visceral reactions to hate speech.'  But I'm also telling people who react violently, 'If you do, you deserved to be charged with assault and you may go to jail for your trouble.'

I would like nothing better to live in a violence-free world, where everyone is rational, whether there are no bullies, and hate speech is a shameful reminder of our forgotten past. 

Then again, I'd also like to live in a world where unicorns fart rainbows and puke leprechaun gold.  But until that happens, I'll deal with the world as it is.

Boru