40% of Millennials OK with limiting offensive speech

[Romalae]

Just stumbled across an astonishing report by Pew Research regarding the public's views toward free speech, and as the chart below indicates, a good 40% of Millennials believe that the government should be able to prevent people from making statements that are offensive to minority groups. That's significantly more than for other generations.



As a liberal Millennial myself, I find this rather shocking. In my mind, free speech is a crucial element of Western society, and that includes speech that is offensive and insulting. I believe that the proper response to this type of speech is not a government crackdown on it, but rather widespread voluntary denunciation by other people exercising their freedom of speech. I would rather the hateful, bigoted people identify themselves as such and broadcast it to the world rather than be forced to keep it private, which gives them the benefit of plausible deniability if questioned about their beliefs by others.

I know this firsthand, because some of my family members here in the South privately make overtly racist statements among each other, but will then get defensive about it or deny it around others. I would rather people be honest so we all know what we're dealing with. People are not going to stop holding bigoted/offensive beliefs just because a government cracks down on them, it just means that those beliefs will be publicly masked.

So, NSG, am I mistaken to have this reaction? Would I react differently if I wasn't white, or is the identity politics aspect not relevant? What other thoughts do you have on this?

[United Marxist Nations]

How does it define "offensive speech"?

[Vassenor]

Surely it would be a better use of time and resources to educate people to not be dicks to each other rather than just making it illegal to use vaguely defined "offensive speech"?

[Gauthier]

40% of Millennials are SJWs!!

Nice to know there is no small amount of people who seem to have empathy.

[Rejeistan]

Hooray for regressive leftism!

[Romalae]

How does it define "offensive speech"?

The report doesn't appear to be too specific on this, so I'm interpreting it in a general sense. You're welcome to add some caveats, though.

[Washington Resistance Army]

How about no.

[United Marxist Nations]

How does it define "offensive speech"?

The report doesn't appear to be too specific on this, so I'm interpreting it in a general sense. You're welcome to add some caveats, though.

Well, I think that is rather reckless of the survey, as it is hard to know what is meant. It could mean anything from the N word to Advocating another Holocaust with it as vague as it is.

[The Hairy Men of God]

Just stumbled across an astonishing report by Pew Research regarding the public's views toward free speech, and as the chart below indicates, a good 40% of Millennials believe that the government should be able to prevent people from making statements that are offensive to minority groups. That's significantly more than for other generations.

(Image)

As a liberal Millennial myself, I find this rather shocking. In my mind, free speech is a crucial element of Western society, and that includes speech that is offensive and insulting. I believe that the proper response to this type of speech is not a government crackdown on it, but rather widespread voluntary denunciation by other people exercising their freedom of speech. I would rather the hateful, bigoted people identify themselves as such and broadcast it to the world rather than be forced to keep it private, which gives them the benefit of plausible deniability if questioned about their beliefs by others.

I know this firsthand, because some of my family members here in the South privately make overtly racist statements among each other, but will then get defensive about it or deny it around others. I would rather people be honest so we all know what we're dealing with. People are not going to stop holding bigoted/offensive beliefs just because a government cracks down on them, it just means that those beliefs will be publicly masked.

So, NSG, am I mistaken to have this reaction? Would I react differently if I wasn't white, or is the identity politics aspect not relevant? What other thoughts do you have on this?

It's simple really, the youngest generation is most affected by the pop culture and general intended morals of the time.

The left, that is the American "left" or the tumblr left have caused this, there's is the culture of "microagression" and their's is the generation with the most gloated ego yet, for they are told they are the future and have all power.

Usually it's the person with the largest feelings of self-importance who attack and say the ends justify the means, because their ego gets hurt when they don't live up to their own expectations.

To put it in short, they want less free speech because it will keep them in their perfection bubble.

[Eol Sha]

Just stumbled across an astonishing report by Pew Research regarding the public's views toward free speech, and as the chart below indicates, a good 40% of Millennials believe that the government should be able to prevent people from making statements that are offensive to minority groups. That's significantly more than for other generations.

(Image)

As a liberal Millennial myself, I find this rather shocking. In my mind, free speech is a crucial element of Western society, and that includes speech that is offensive and insulting. I believe that the proper response to this type of speech is not a government crackdown on it, but rather widespread voluntary denunciation by other people exercising their freedom of speech. I would rather the hateful, bigoted people identify themselves as such and broadcast it to the world rather than be forced to keep it private, which gives them the benefit of plausible deniability if questioned about their beliefs by others.

I know this firsthand, because some of my family members here in the South privately make overtly racist statements among each other, but will then get defensive about it or deny it around others. I would rather people be honest so we all know what we're dealing with. People are not going to stop holding bigoted/offensive beliefs just because a government cracks down on them, it just means that those beliefs will be publicly masked.

So, NSG, am I mistaken to have this reaction? Would I react differently if I wasn't white, or is the identity politics aspect not relevant? What other thoughts do you have on this?

You've stolen the words right out of my mouth, Romalae. I find this poll to be disappointing and bad.

That aside, I find it interesting that the likelihood of having a college degree actually lessens, however slight, one's desire to have the government setting limits on offensive speech.

That said, I feel the need to reemphasize that 40% is not a majority. I say that because some idiots are probably going to come along and start complaining about young people hating freedom and generalizing us all as SJW feminazis who hate free speech and want to oppress anyone who disagrees with our ideas and values.

[Romalae]

The report doesn't appear to be too specific on this, so I'm interpreting it in a general sense. You're welcome to add some caveats, though.

Well, I think that is rather reckless of the survey, as it is hard to know what is meant. It could mean anything from the N word to Advocating another Holocaust with it as vague as it is.

Fair enough. Presumably it means the former, along with other epithets that are thrown around by some in this country. I would think that advocating another Holocaust is a step farther than just offensive speech, but also inciting violence and outright criminality. But you're right that it's still problematically vague.

You've stolen the words right out of my mouth, Romalae. I find this poll to be disappointing and bad.

That aside, I find it interesting that the likelihood of having a college degree actually lessens, however slight, one's desire to have the government setting limits on offensive speech.

Thank you. And yes, I also found that part interesting. Maybe it has to do with a greater familiarity with the concept of free speech and its commitments?

[Unnamed island state]

This is an improvement.

[Donut section]

Really?
Well, fuck them then..

[The Serbian Empire]

40% of Millennials are SJWs!!

Nice to know there is no small amount of people who seem to have empathy.

More like they have too much empathy and will likely be treated like doormats to management on the job or end up not getting along with management because of microaggressions and struggle to hold on to any job.

[Wisconsin9]

At least it's not a majority.

[Rejeistan]

40% of Millennials are SJWs!!

Nice to know there is no small amount of people who seem to have empathy.

Empathy is good, and we should try to be civil and polite and avoid hurting people's feelings when we can... That said, free speech is vital and this is ridiculous.

[Threlizdun]

While I don't see legislating speech (with the obvious immediate danger exceptions) possibly solving anything, it is an understandable response. It should be opposed, though much of concerns behind this development are valid.

[Soviet Vernosk]

There should be no laws regarding the restriction of any speech, no matter how hateful or offensive it may be.

[Uxupox]

People should be able to criticize everybody and anything without being fined or possibly jailed.

[Yedmnrutika Gavr]

im with my peers on this one (the 58% who say its not ok to limit fos)

[Fenexia and holochrome]

Depends. This is a really shoddy survey.
if it's talking about legitimate hate speech like calling for someone's death then it's not too bad.
If this is about microaggressions, then it's ridiculous.
Free speech trumps your right to not be offended.

[Rejeistan]

Depends. This is a really shoddy survey.
if it's talking about legitimate hate speech like calling for someone's death then it's not too bad.
If this is about microaggressions, then it's ridiculous.
Free speech trumps your right to not be offended.

There is no right to not be offended.

[United Marxist Nations]

Depends. This is a really shoddy survey.
if it's talking about legitimate hate speech like calling for someone's death then it's not too bad.
If this is about microaggressions, then it's ridiculous.
Free speech trumps your right to not be offended.

There is no right to not be offended.

but its not about creating an intellectual space :^)

[Dooom35796821595]

There's a war coming...

[Rejeistan]

There is no right to not be offended.

but its not about creating an intellectual space :^)

Hehe. Horrible.