A speech on hate speech (and #freespeech) last Friday in the Lords. Too many still argue that a defence of free speech is just a cynical means of allowing offensive views to be promoted... (1/4)
Hate (like offence) is subjective, and can be used to deligitimise debate. This has also become a problem in relation to politics - with sceptics of government policy on climate change called 'climate deniers' or people who question vaccine mandates as 'anti-vaxxers'... (2/4)
The category of hate is often used to shut down views we don't like. We can't take 'hate speech' at face value - it has become too broad and too overused to be any decent means of collecting date (as its supporters claim)... (3/4)
But more importantly, too many in power are cowardly in the face of cancel culture - it's time to call for courage, to stand up for free speech no matter whether it's hateful or not. (4/4)
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