[DEBATE] : Re: Hate speech

[Peter Mahlangu]

"I wonder if we would tolerate listings that say the
Holocaust was a lie?"

I do not understand the import of this sentence. 

--- Charlene Smith <clsmith at global.co.za> wrote:

> I wonder if we would tolerate postings that support
> racist lynchings?  I 
> wonder if we would tolerate listings that say the
> Holocaust was a lie? 
> Would we simply block comments that most Muslims are
> suicide bombers in 
> waiting?
> Would I get away with saying "black men can't keep
> it in their pants" as 
> Mbeki wrongly claimed I said - correcting it the
> next day and pointing out 
> it was an African American professor from Univ
> Dartmouth\ Mass?
> Would we tolerate me saying that children should be
> beaten to within an inch 
> of their life if they are 'disobedient'?
> Every civilised society, every democracy supports
> freedom of expression, BUT 
> it says with freedom comes responsibility.  I cannot
> say or do anything that 
> creates harm to others, that has the potential to
> incite harm, that the 
> majority find repugnant, distressing or hurtful.
> In a debate forum such as ours vigorous debate is
> encouraged, a wide sharing 
> of ideas ... but as Patrick tries to guide us
> toward, there is an 
> expectation that we should be respectful.
> Why is it that women are expected to be tolerant of
> disgraceful ideas that 
> support harm to women and we should merely press a
> block senders button?  Or 
> leave the list in disgust as I have more than once. 
> This is supposed to be 
> an intellectual forum, not a dog fight.  We are
> expected, so I believe, to 
> express views based on some levels of sensitivity,
> lots of levels of careful 
> thought, research and intellect, and to present them
> as far as possible 
> respectfully.
> Our great democracy - and today we celebrate our
> Constitution's 10th 
> anniversary - protects freedom of expression, but
> also has limits on what we 
> may say, write, broadcast, disseminate... because no
> freedom is unfettered 
> of responsibility to broader society. I cannot act
> alone, I cannot speak 
> only for myself, because I need to peacefully
> co-exist, I need to respect my 
> fellow citizens...  And that means I cannot be the
> voice of abuse.  Respect 
> needs to  be our guide.
> 
> Charlene
> 
> 
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