With the recent mass protests and violent riots at college campuses around the country by groups supporting Hamas, and the counter-protests by those in support of the Israeli people and nation, the conversation about “hate speech” and the First Amendment is stirring a debate on what free speech actually is. Part of that debate is the division of whether or not “hate speech” is or should be protected, or whether it actually exists at all.
I am a fervent and ardent supporter of our civil liberties and believe that they are indeed absolute. From the First Amendment to the Second, Fourth, and everyone in between, these rights are intrinsic to a free society. An individual’s right to speak freely without fear of reprisal from their government is what makes this nation the best in the world. However, as time goes by, it seems to be the subject of attack by those who would use the power…
