The freedom to speak as we choose is one that we take for granted. We can open our mouths and say what we're thinking and no one can stop us. We can sit at our computers and type long diatribes about how we're feeling and who we think is to blame for that.
In some countries, even in 2012, some countries do not have that freedom, which saddens me. I know that there is nothing I can do to change it for them, but I still wonder what an existence is like, where public opinion is the only one that matters and voicing your own would lead to serious punishment.
Ever since the invention of the internet, people have been using it to share and re-share opinions of theirs and of other people. We know so much more than we could have 20 years ago simply by being able to go on a computer with an internet connection.
But when people take the freedom of speech too far, hiding behind it as an excuse to share hate speech, it makes a mockery of everyone else who is trying to make change to the world through the written word.
Just because you have an opinion, doesn't mean that it should be shared. Hate speech is taking the freedom to speak our opinions too far.
The kind of speech that I'm referring to is not simply voicing a dislike of something, but rather a full on, negative verbal/ written assault on another human being whose difference should be celebrated instead of being the thing that we shun them for. Hate speech creates a culture of ignorance where people believe, because somewhat reputable people write/ speak on, such topics that it must be truth instead of opinion.
Freedom of speech, YES. Hate speech hiding under the guide of Freedom of Speech, HELL NO!
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