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bubbles's comments:

on Free Speech or Hate Speech?

For context I am a minority. I am also a big advocate of free speech.


So how to asses this situation for me is difficult. I agree that not reading the flier we are all making suppositions on it's actual content.


With that being said there is a clearly legal line as defined by our system of laws and government. The courts have been clear on many similar situations.

Freedom of speech in America gives its citizens the right to speech that is free from censorship or limitations.

This right is not absolute though. Speech that would cause harm and/or hate speech is not constitutionally protected.

Hate speech is speech that contains no other purpose than to express hatred toward another group, especially in cases that it advocates violence against a specific group.

So while I'm morally offended that someone would post statistics about their own race's achievements it is perfectly legal speech in so far as the speech can be construed to an expression of one's individual pride and meant for others to ponder the idea of those feelings of pride.

But when swastikas and a link to a website which actually does advocate violence towards specific groups are added to the flier it becomes hate speech.  The symbol of the swastika has become synonymous with the atrocities of genocide and therefore has become speech that is meant to insight fear.

I as a minority fear the sight of a swastika because of the knowledge and state of mind that the individual creating this speech would advocate both mental and physical harm upon me. I would venture a guess that a majority of people in the US view the swastika in the same way.

So as it stands this flier is on the cusp of legality.  I personally think it is hate speech.

But this begs the larger questions:

Why is there racism? Is racism inherent to the human psyche? If not, what can be done to eliminate it?

What is the proper way to provide the constitutional right given to ALL citizens of the US to pursue life, liberty, and happiness?

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Free Speech or Hate Speech?

The White studies department is called the History department. Most education in the West has been taught from the white European perspective so there is no need for a White studies department. The reason there is a Black, or Hispanic studies departments is simply due to the fact that aspect of history and society has so long been underrepresented, or even silenced so there is a need to balance the differing views and interpritations of different segments of society.

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Father's Day at 100

I am a new father with a daughter just shy of a year. My wife works full time in a nonprofit organization, and makes the bulk of our household income. I fill in the gap in income and insurance working part time in a local SE grocery store. When I am not working I am taking care of my daughter while my wife works, or when she needs to travel due to work. If that wasn?t enough I am fervently perusing a career in the music industry with a self owned and operated record label.
I often find it difficult to spend time with friends, and find time for myself. This brings me great perspective on my own parents. I can also understand the incredible happiness that a child?s laughter can bring to a home.
All in all, I am still stunned that if you talked to me two years ago I would do everything I could to avoid all children, and today I make googlly eyes and a funny face at every kid I meet!

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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