We Need A Clear Definition Of Hate Speech

  • Sunday, June 12, 2016

In April, the Husseini Islamic Center of Sanford, Fla. - not far from Orlando - invited Sheikh Sekaleshfar to speak at their Mosque.  Sheikh Sekaleshfar is most notorious for his views on homosexuality.  He advocates that killing homosexuals is the most compassionate thing a person can do for them.  He has said that a person should not be "embarrassed" to kill homosexuals.


Today, we are in shock over the tragedy in Orlando.  Even now in the immediate aftermath, we see that many issues have been raised: LGBT rights, gun rights, religious rights.  As we untangle these issues, I will make the first suggestion.  Tennessee must make a tough decision and come up with a clear definition of hate speech.  Here's my recommendation: speech that advocates violating the rights of others.  Simple.  And here's my second suggestion: we revoke the tax exempt status for any institution that promotes hate speech.


If we don't toughen up, we're going to continue to see our hard-won liberties disrespected.  The measures I have recommended don't go far enough.  But these measures do show that we have boundaries, and that we have enough self-respect to defend them.

 

Ty O'Grady

State Senate candidate

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