Un-Hip Bigots

I am seriously concerned with the level of bigotry here in the Forums.

The reason I am concerned with this is that this culture of fear we live in has made it "cool" to be rude and an asshole. Now, I am all for freedom of speech, but I also believe in being respectful and tolerant of others who are different.

Debate is good. But, BIGOTRY is awful.

A bigot is described as a person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles or identities differing from his or her own. And sadly, I see much more of this around the HipForums than I'd have hoped for.

Disagreements are great because they allow discourse, but intolerance and bigotry have to go.

We must respect each other if we are ever going to make a damn difference in BUSHWorld.

 

Free Speech means just that though. People are just as free to express bigotted ideas as more enlightened ones. Instead of saying that those ideas "have to go", it would be more useful to try and educate those who currently express ignorance.

 

Even in real life you get people who are intolerant...it's just how it is. We don't live in a perfect world. Like booshnoogs already stated, they have every right to be how they are. *shrugs* doesn't mean it's right, but it's how it is.

 

BIGOTRY has to go. Not free speech.

We have to educate people to respect others. Free Speech is important, but it's NOT more important than HUMAN RIGHTS.

Our priorities need to be in order. Human rights and THEN free speech. Otherwise it would be permissable to lie, defraud and scream "FIRE!" in a crowded area all in the name of "free speech".

Without HUMAN RIGHTS there is NO ONE left to have "free speech". And BIGOTRY is the disease that denies human rights.

*Also, I can't believe people here are more inclined to defend the freedom of a bigot than the freedom of someone they deem sexually "immoral"...oops wait, I guess they're defending themselves*

 

Maybe you should call people out on it? I doubt bigots will give two shits about it...all they care about is themselves...do you think they'll care about what you have to say?

*NOTE: I didn't mean for that to sound mean...but that's PROBABLY what is going through their heads. *

 

I do. And I don't believe the "free speech" of bigots come before human rights. And I DO believe in free speech to the hilt, but that hilt does not cross the lines of humanity. That's the only limit I'd place on "free speech". And I don't think that's a BAD thing.

 

There are some logical incongruities in your last post, but I'm going to take a shot at debate anyway.

There is not a choice to be made between Free Speech and Human Rights. They are in no way mutually exclusive. It seems to me that Free Speech is actually one of the safe guards of Human Rights since Free Speech allows the truth to get out about any atrocities that might be taking place.

It isn't coincidence, for example, the there is such a high correlation between countries with countries with fewer freedoms and lower human rights.

 

Then you've just taken a step towards oppression my friend.

 

Why do you think they'd care about what you had to say? Most people are in denial...they don't think they are bigots, even when it's apparent that they are.

You can't really change people...they often have to see it happening to them before they do anything about it...but who wants to be a bigot just on principle?

 

I agree. But, when free speech comes into contrast with human rights (such as the examples I provided before), then we have no society to express "free speech". We have hell.

Bigotry has to go, but it is through education, not suppression. I do believe, however, that some guidelines need to restrict certain things from being expressed which would place lives in danger (such as "FIRE!" in a crowded area--cliche, I know, but true).

 

I am glad Martin Luther King Jr. didn't have your passion for change, Dancer.

 

That's bull-fucking-shit. Saving lives or "freedom to say FIRE!!!" in a crowded area?? Which is more important?? Please.

In order for freedom to MEAN something, it must have some limit when it comes to humanity. We are the very ones who USE it.

That's an asinine statement, friend.

 

I'm just being devil's advocate here. I think people have the potential to change...but only if they want to.

 

I'm not sure how yelling Fire equates to a human rights violation. I was referring to your opinion that bigotted speech should not be tolerated.

 

You brought in the whole "free speech" argument. Of course, we have to have it, but it doesn't take precedence over human rights. That was an example.

I was saying that bigotry has to go through EDUCATION, and yes, some regulation such as discrimination (i.e. bigotry). You don't think that discrimination is important? There should be nothing done about it?

 

Well, some people will change through other means than "want".

If someone is a serial killer (for example), they will "change" because we will stop them from doing that. Now, their views may not have changed at the time, but we have made a change.

People's views make them act. And bigotry and hate fuels acts of bigotry and hate. Until we can educate people more, we must take action against them.

Let them THINK their hateful thoughts all they want, but when it comes into acts (including some speech), we must "change" it for them.

Freedom is important, but it is important for ALL PEOPLE. Bigotry limits that freedom and thus, a bigot is a threat to freedom. So, I'd rather put a few limits on bigotry than on freedom.

Free speech, however, is not the MOST important thing, it is ONE of the most important things.

 

Your statements sound to me a lot like "I think we should have free speech, except when I disagree with that speech". I take exception to that idea.

I don't see cutting down on free speech as a means to reduce bigotry or discrimination. If somebody is a bigot, then persecuting them for expressing their bigotry doesn't fix any problems.

 

Then you obviously haven't read what I've written. You can disagree with me all you want. That's fine. It's healthy for debate, but "free speech" does not come before humanity, my friend. I'd rather limit bigotry than limit the freedom of people to live their lives without it.

And I hardly think education and rules against discrimination can be called "persecution".

 

Nope, it certainly doesn't. It just makes them shut up for the time being...but it doesn't make them stop being a bigot completely...

 

No, jester.

It was about that thread, but not aimed at you.