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Speech Vs Free Speech

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Free speech is one of the most prevalent issues in today’s society. This is a very sensitive topic since it is one of the core values of our country. Typically people see the issue as very black and white, cut and dry. Especially where I come from, the general opinion is that you have the right to say absolutely anything you please regardless of the impact those words have. I think that this is not the case in our current society. In my opinion the bigger issue today is the concept of safe speech. With the prevalence of protests around the world free speech and safe speech have become the most talked about topics in our country. The first issue I wish to discuss is the issue of free speech when it comes to protest. I do not think there is any situation in which it is acceptable to restrict someone’s right to peaceful protest. Not only is this something that our country has stood for since the beginning, but it is something that makes modern Americans feel safe. I feel a sense of control over my administration because I know that I have the right to speak out against them. In the specific example of the NFL players kneeling I see no reason to restrict their right to free speech. They are completely within their rights to peacefully protest what is going on in America. In the same sense if they are violating a contract regarding the team they play for, then the team also has the right to terminate the employment of the player. The only issue I find here is the hypocrisy that is revealed when the teams will fire a player for kneeling in peaceful protest, but aid in the covering up of rampant domestic abuse issues in the industry. Of course that is another topic entirely. I consider myself a patriot and I admire the platforms that the founders created our country on. I especially value free speech. That being said, I become conflicted in my support when free speech becomes hate speech. When I say hate speech I do not mean peaceful protest that is controversial, such as kneeling during the National Anthem, rather I mean personally attacking another person with hateful or threatening speech. While most people would agree that hate speech is wrong, the problem lies in determining what is hate speech. How to we

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