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3 comments

[–] TheRedArmy [OP] 2 points (+2|-0)

The Cato 2017 Free Speech and Tolerance Survey, a new national poll of 2,300 U.S. adults, finds that 71% Americans believe that political correctness has silenced important discussions our society needs to have. The consequences are personal—58% of Americans believe the political climate prevents them from sharing their own political beliefs.

Graph showing who is mostly likely to self-censor

It follows that a solid majority (59%) of Americans think people should be allowed to express unpopular opinions in public, even those deeply offensive to others. On the other hand, 40% think government should prevent hate speech. Despite this, the survey also found Americans willing to censor, regulate, or punish a wide variety of speech and expression they personally find offensive.

Graph showing certain types of offensive speech

Graph regarding free speech beliefs, compared across white, black, and Latino lines

Lots of information in here. When I spend some more time parsing it, I'll likely have something more to say.

That last graph is terrifying. I didn't know things were that bad.
Even the 34% is way too high. But to have over 70% feel supporting 'free speech is as bad as being racist', makes me afraid.

Humanity has gone down this road before, and it's never pretty.
Criminalizing people for having the wrong political views is how hate is created, not solved.

[–] Boukert 1 points (+1|-0) Edited

I bet a lot of the minorities interviewed and awnsering yes in #1 also think "hate speech" only applies to white people

hate speech is an act of violence

What the fuck happened to "sticks and stones".

People who don't respect others Don't deserve the right to free speech

I know the US has a way to punish wrong behavior severely (taking voting rights from convicts), But this is so much more dangerous. Intolerance leads to authoritarianism and oppression.... no matter if it's done by left or right.