Hate speech on Ratz. Should we tolerate it?

[FBM]

Let's say, for example, a person started a thread intensely bashing "niggers" or "wops" or "slopes" or "faggots" or "trannies" or whatever, but never insults any other member or breaks any of the existing rules. Then he starts another and another and another and another and another and another...about the same topic. It's hate speech. It's illegal in many countries and/or in many jurisdictions within countries.

I'm all for freedom of expression and speech. I'll all not for hate speech. In your opinion, is Ratz the kind of place where it should be protected or banned? Something else? (Don't want to set up a false dichotomy.)

[Jay G]

Let's say, for example, a person started a thread intensely bashing "niggers" or "wops" or "slopes" or "faggots" or "trannies" or whatever, but never insults any other member or breaks any of the existing rules. Then he starts another and another and another and another and another and another...about the same topic. It's hate speech. It's illegal in many countries and/or in many jurisdictions within countries.

I'm all for freedom of expression and speech. I'll all not for hate speech. In your opinion, is Ratz the kind of place where it should be protected or banned? Something else? (Don't want to set up a false dichotomy.)

It seems to me that hate speech is accepted here. What's the question?

[FBM]

It seems to me that hate speech is accepted here. What's the question?

Should it be.

[Jay G]

It seems to me that hate speech is accepted here. What's the question?

Should it be.

A little late to be asking this question, don't you think?

[FBM]

It seems to me that hate speech is accepted here. What's the question?

Should it be.

A little late to be asking this question, don't you think?

Why? Rules can be amended if the demand is great enough, I think. The admins are a reasonable lot.

[Eriku]

Sure... so long as it's not spammed all over the place. Gawd walks a very fine line, but people here don't get bent out of shape and that sort of takes the sting out of it.

[Jay G]

All kidding aside (yeah, right) I think that if personal attacks are banned, hate speech should also be banned.

[FBM]

Sure... so long as it's not spammed all over the place. Gawd walks a very fine line, but people here don't get bent out of shape and that sort of takes the sting out of it.

So, as long as only a few people are bent out of shape about it, it's OK? That's not sarcasm, I'm really asking if that's your position. It's not unreasonable. It's often hard to balance majority rule (not sure Ratz is meant to be a democracy, anyway) against protecting the minority.

[Azathoth]

We are pretty self policing with regards to hate speech. You can always go over to retskep if you want aggressive modding

[Eriku]

Sure... so long as it's not spammed all over the place. Gawd walks a very fine line, but people here don't get bent out of shape and that sort of takes the sting out of it.

So, as long as only a few people are bent out of shape about it, it's OK? That's not sarcasm, I'm really asking if that's your position. It's not unreasonable. It's often hard to balance majority rule (not sure Ratz is meant to be a democracy, anyway) against protecting the minority.

Tbh that bent out of shape argument oughn't have been raised, sry... by that logic the NSFW forum should be abolished if anybody here is uptight about sexuality and suchance. Anyway, this is a forum stuffed with people who appreciate certain lofty principles, and those principles need to be upheld for views we don't like, or else the principle becomes void.

Then again, I'm a filthy relativist.

[Bella Fortuna]

All kidding aside (yeah, right) I think that if personal attacks are banned, hate speech should also be banned.

I agree. I don't like knowing that a place I frequent condones serious hate-preaching. I won't invite anyone here knowing that hate speech is an element here. It's embarrassing. And to me opting to not view that particular area of the forum is merely sticking one's head in the sand while allowing it to proliferate, which strikes me as reprehensible.

[owtth]

I think most 'hate speech' legislation is enacted in order to limit the conversion of certain idiots who may be swayed by such speech. Very few of the members here are going to be so swayed, probably a much smaller percentage than in the general public. If someone wishes to come here and spew hatred and be ridiculed then I'm fine with that, the overall reaction to such speeches seems to me to give the response they deserve. Except for those about the fucking Jews.














Ha

[FBM]

It's working on 3:30 a.m. here, so I gotta go, but I just want to say that I'm not committed to either position, banning or allowing. I just wanted to hear what others think and feel about it. Hope there's a buttload of discussion while I'm asleep. Cheers.

[Jay G]

I think most 'hate speech' legislation is enacted in order to limit the conversion of certain idiots who may be swayed by such speech. Very few of the members here are going to be so swayed, probably a much smaller percentage than in the general public. If someone wishes to come here and spew hatred and be ridiculed then I'm fine with that, the overall reaction to such speeches seems to me to give the response they deserve. Except for those about the fucking Jews.














Ha

[Trolldor]

Who decides what hate speech is? Those who are offended?