Hate speech is an ugly thing, but when is it actually harmful?
“There is a fine line between free speech and hate speech. Free speech encourages debate whereas hate speech incites violence.” – Newton Lee.
That does not mean that one must sugar-coat everything you want to say, because firmness and being outspoken are part of the fabric of life – we are not snowflakes [a buzzword beloved by social media].
Hate speech is generally considered hateful when it involves the expression of prejudice, discrimination, or hostility against individuals or groups based on attributes such as their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. Here are some examples of keys that can unlock a hateful Pandora’s box:
Targeting Specific Groups: Hate speech often singles out and targets specific individuals or groups based on their inherent characteristics.
Intent to Harm or Incite Harm: Hate speech is typically characterized by an intent to harm, insult, or incite harm or violence against the targeted individuals or groups. History is littered with this and in America Donald Trump is the most infamous living example of a person spewing hate speech.
Creation of Fear and Hostility: Hate speech aims to create an atmosphere of fear, hostility, or intolerance. In South Africa Julius Malema often crosses this line – he thinks this makes him a revolutionary. In fact, all it makes him is an irresponsible flamethrower.
Undermining Equality and Dignity: Hate speech undermines the principles of equality and dignity by promoting discriminatory attitudes and reinforcing social divisions. Many societies, including South Africa, do not do nearly enough to use the foundation of the state to aggressively pursue the ever-elusive goals of a just & equal society where the dignity of the individual is paramount.
South African legislation, particularly the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000 (PEPUDA), addresses hate speech. The act aims to promote equality and prevent unfair discrimination, and may I say in this respect we are an example of tolerance and sensitivity for all things hate speech.
On a personal & individual level, I often think of the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
Yes, he is right, hate & hatefulness is actually a burden. It drags you down, weighs on your happiness and is as infectious as Covid.
I leave you with these powerful words from the father of the New South Africa:
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela (1994)