Table of Contents
The Danger of “Hate Speech”
Often, while reviewing a school’s policies or the text of an administrator’s speech, I encounter promises of free speech tempered by the idea of hate speech: “While free speech is an integral part of this institution, hate speech is unacceptable and will be punished.” However, most of what universities call “hate speech” is free speech, as defined by the First Amendment, and trying to make a distinction between the two leads to dangerously subjective tests.
Therefore, it was refreshing to read an article in today’s Los Angeles Times about an event at UC Irvine at which the school’s Chancellor, Michael V. Drake, stated, “Free speech means simply that: free speech,” and “Speech is protected. It can be hateful. It can be wrong. It can be vile.”
A handful of Jewish organizations held a town meeting to address concerns about a string of recent events that many perceived to be anti-Semitic. The latest event, reportedly sponsored by Muslim students, protested Israel’s policies towards Palestinians.
One attendee insisted that Chancellor Drake, and therefore UC Irvine, draw a line between free speech and hate speech:
I can’t decide if [Drake] doesn’t get it or if he’s in denial… He keeps saying that he abhors hate speech, but he’s unwilling to take a position on the issue of what to do about anti-Semitic activity.
While Chancellor Drake did say he believes anti-Semitism is “the utterance of fools,” he also said “he hoped to make it clear that the difference between free speech and hate speech ‘is nebulous.’”
I hope more administrators follow Chancellor Drake’s example. When discussing issues like the Israeli-Arab conflict, some will always be hurt or offended by those with differing opinions. However, that does not mean that we should avoid discussing these topics, especially on college campuses. Issues like this require the most open and robust debate: if there were easy answers, we would have already found them.
Recent Articles
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
VICTORY: Michigan town declares Sept. 6 ‘First Amendment Day’ after FIRE sues its mayor for shouting down residents
After their mayor silenced them for criticizing her during city council meetings, four Eastpointe, Michigan, residents sued their city — and won.
USC canceling valedictorian’s commencement speech looks like calculated censorship
The university’s move, citing vague ‘safety concerns’ appears designed to placate critics of the student’s Israel criticism.
Back into the FIRE: Hasen’s response to FIRE and Rohde: Don’t read the press clause out of the Constitution — First Amendment News 420
First Amendment News is a weekly blog and newsletter about free expression issues by Ronald K. L. Collins and is editorially independent from FIRE.
Western Washington University punishes racing team for sending photo of penis drawing on pizza box
The university faulted the group for drawing “a symbol of white, male power and domination.”