hate speech - any thoughts?

[gemruca9]

i went to UM ann arbor for undergrad, and now i go to EMU for grad school. it is safe to say that i've seen my fair share of campus demonstrations, protests, debates, bible thumpers, picket lines, etc. but the last few days on EMU's campus have been ... shocking to me. in the past, i have walked by several people and groups on campus that shout at

Comments

[tunde]

I think we need more people exercising their right to free speech instead of their right to say nothing at all. It is also a matter of perspective and belief. Like, 40 years ago, our beliefs would have been extremely offensive, and if we tried taking a public stand, we could have been attacked, fire-hosed, jailed, etc.

Also, what is "hate speech"? Were these people saying they hated gay people and wanted to kill them, or that they were going to Hell? I have friends who love me but at the same time are positive I'm going to Hell. Of course, screaming at someone that they're on a one-way trip to Hell doesn't seem "loving" but maybe they think they need to be shocking to get attention. It's super misguided and offensive and disturbing, but so are like.. Jonas Brothers songs to me lol.

I say bring it on, and hope that more people gather to counter-protest. I think that's a healthy way to handle it and any kind of censoring makes me nervous that one day I'll be getting arrested for declaring something that I really believe in, which is scarier than getting verbally attacked by religious fundamentalists.