The Case Against So-Called “Hate Speech” Laws

The United Nations has just raised alarm about hate speech. “The rise and impact of hate speech is being amplified at an unprecedented scale … threatening peace around the world,” The Jan. 30, report authors
Submitted
.

The report joins a flurry of recent warnings — by
Members of the European Union
,
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
, and others — about the rise of hate speech, as well as calls for the U.S. government to crack down on the problem.

EUROPEAN EELITES DEMOCRATS MEET TO DISSEMPT THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Commentators have a right to criticize the rise in violence and hatred towards minorities. New laws to regulate hate speech would only make matters worse.

One thing is that hate speech laws don’t reduce hatred. Although there are many European countries that have passed aggressive hate speech legislations, Western Europe is the only one.
There are still scores
24% on an antisemitism score created by the Anti-Defamation League. This non-profit organization is dedicated to fighting and measuring antisemitism. This means that 24% Western Europeans hold antisemitic views. Only 10% of Americans have this kind of view.

This is not a coincidence. This is not a coincidence.
2017 study
Publié in European Journal of Political Research The connection was at least partially causal, as Western European extremism can be partly fuelled by “extensive public repression of radical right actors and opinions.”

Why are hate speech laws necessary
Increase extremism
? One reason is that they make extremists into martyrs. Weimar Germany was established in 1922, when Hitler’s star started to rise.
We tried to censor him
. The state closed down hundreds of Nazi newspapers, and banned Hitler from speaking in many areas of Germany. This crackdown did not hinder Hitler’s rise. To gain support for their campaign, Nazis used the government’s censorship. Illustration of one poster. “Why is Adolf Hitler not allowed to speak?” It was asked. “Because he is ruthless in uncovering the rulers of the German economy, the international bank Jews and their lackeys, the Democrats, Marxists, Jesuits, and Free Masons!”

Antisemites, starting with Hitler
Ye
Kanye West was formerly Kanye West. They claim that they are speaking truth and have discovered a huge conspiracy to keep their countrymen in the dark. Silencing them only feeds into this claim. It is a sign that the extremists might have something to offer those who are on the other side.

Isaac Saul is a Jewish reporter.
Submitted
This is what Ye said about Ye’s antisemitic tirades. “Ye says antisemitic things. Ye faces consequences (like all the businesses now severing ties with him). And those consequences are held up as ‘proof’ he’s right.” Saul is referring to Ye’s private business ties, but how much fuel would it add for antisemitic conspiracy theories?

If hate speech laws aren’t effective in preventing hatred, then what is? Counterspeech. We can defeat the siren song of hatred when decent people confront it and debate its causes, such as racism, sexism, or antisemitism. This is not just theory. The U.N.
Says
The effective treatment is counterspeech “To counter hate speech, the United Nations supports more positive speech and upholds respect for freedom of expression as the norm.”

The proponents of hate speech laws have noble motives. The goal of hate speech laws is to create an environment in which the ingroup cannot oppress and the outgroup can thrive. This is why minorities are often encouraged to use them. Good intentions won’t always result in good results. Guterres and other commentators should consider counterspeech instead of pushing for more laws to crack down on online hate.

A strong counterspeech can do more than any law in creating the open-minded, tolerant society most of us desire.

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Julian Adorney works as a marketing consultant and writer.
FEE.org
and has previously written for National Review?, FederalistOther outlets.