1/ Good: some thoughts to follow the link...UCONN students caught shouting the n-word. Amid outcry, they’ve been criminally charged. washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10…
2/ Some will say spewing racial slurs is "free speech," but this is bullshit in this context. Before noting why, those who say this are the same folks who say nothing as states & schools seek to criminalize/prohibit criticism of Israel and put leftist profs on "watch lists"...
3/ But back to free speech argument. On a philosophical level, spewing slurs is not in keeping with the spirit of free speech protections. The purpose and function of free speech is to allow for the sharing of opinions as part of a search for truth...
4/ How do slurs forward opinions that seek to uncover truth? They are not arguments to which there is a rational response or rebuttal. The most understandable response to being called the n-word is a fist to the teeth. Slurs forward no position other than hate for hate's sake...
5/ So to hide behind free speech protections in this case is to suggest you were "making an argument" when you really weren't. If you articulated a racist opinion about black intelligence or something, THAT would be protected (depending on time/place/manner) however awful...
6/ But slurs aren't such arguments. The Bell Curve is a rebuttable presumption. White folks saying the n-word is not. It is mere provocation, almost the perfect example of what the court calls "fighting words" intended to inflame passions, having no other purpose...
7/ Also, in this context, the loud use of the n-word in a location where the speakers had every reason to suspect it would be heard by black people is especially problematic and should be unprotected. It is harassment. Intended to intimidate....
8/ It's not as if these guys just threw around the word in the privacy of their homes with their douche-bro pals, or even at a Klan rally in the woods somewhere. Saying this word loudly in a place where you know black folks will likely hear it is different or should be...
9/ At the very least I hope CT stands behind their existing law that allowed for these charges to be brought, and let's see what the courts say. Don't back down. And UCONN should expel their asses right now for creating a hostile environment and violating conduct code...
