单选题

Law: Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech

Professor: Much like discrimination, freedom of speech can be seen as a controversial issue ______. Let me ask you a question: is it appropriate to ______?
Student: No, I think it is ______.
Professor: Oh, really, Martin? So, you believe in ______ then?
Student: No, I don"t.
Professor: But you just said that ______, thereby limiting your freedom of speech. Let me ask you another question: can we live without censorship?
Student: Yes. I think we can do without censorship.
Professor: Then do you believe that it is okay to say something ______ to someone based on their race?
Student: Well, urn, ah, I don"t know.
Professor: You see, class, this is not an easy topic to debate or even justify. There are many reasons why going to college or university is a good idea, but perhaps ______ is that we are able to think freely and discuss new ideas that may be seen as controversial ______. There are all types of people with different cultures, ______, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs at college and university and these people provide stimulating ideas and viewpoints for discussion. It is hard to ______, but a possible description might be: any speech ______ based on race, color, sex, sexuality or religion.
In democratic societies such as America, Canada and Europe, freedom of speech is sometimes ______, but is still ______. For instance, in Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the freedom of expression. The European Convention on Human Rights ______ 1950 and entitles all citizens to free expression. In Europe, the state of the situation regarding freedom of speech is that there is a very limited role for censorship and this is generally ______. This cannot be said for America, where there is a great divide between the 1st Amendment, ______ freedom of speech and the 14th Amendment, which protects minority rights. This divide in America requires both sides to not only be able to ______ what the Constitution reads, but be able to argue why it is correct. When discussing any issue, it is critical to hear from both sides. Just like other issues, there are pros and cons to freedom of speech.
Let"s use our university as an example. I think we can all agree that it is crucial to ______ that is available to everyone here at school. I think we can also agree that it is ______ hate speech, right? What does this statement say about our rights? It clearly states that we have the duty to make sure that our rights as individuals do not ______. We must realize that the rights we enjoy in a democratic society should be ______. Racial, sexual, and religious minority groups must have the right to be free from ______. If these rights are violated, ______ must be taken by our university authorities.
Using the university setting again, let"s take a look at ______ regarding freedom of speech. I stated before that certain speech should be limited and this can be a good thing. In fact, ______ is freedom of speech absolute. Now, let"s suppose that this is abused. For example, the same laws ______ censoring those who use hate speech, can be ______ certain groups the government or the university authorities find disruptive. On the other hand, the law which maintains the right to hate speech can be used in a positive way by protecting everyone"s freedom of speech.
I think it would be naive of me to say that we must agree with what everyone says. After all, we can all learn something by ______; however, it is absolutely wrong to ______ such as gay bashing or beating up someone based on their religious beliefs. The line must be very clear regarding a hate crime, but can be relaxed when censoring speech. Don"t forget that we all have the right to say what we want, ______.

【正确答案】

Law: Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech

Professor: Much like discrimination, freedom of speech can be seen as a controversial issue and receives a lot of dialogue. Let me ask you a question: is it appropriate to provoke racial hatred?
Student: No, I think it is inappropriate.
Professor: Oh, really, Martin? So, you believe in some sort of censorship then?
Student: No, I don"t.
Professor: But you just said that provoking racial hatred is inappropriate, thereby limiting your freedom of speech. Let me ask you another question: can we live without censorship?
Student: Yes. I think we can do without censorship.
Professor: Then do you believe that it is okay to say something in a hateful way to someone based on their race?
Student: Well, um, ah, I don"t know.
Professor: You see, class, this is not an easy topic to debate or even justify. There are many reasons why going to college or university is a good idea, but perhaps one of the best perks is that we are able to think freely and discuss new ideas that may be seen as controversial in a safe environment. There are all types of people with different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs at college and university and these people provide stimulating ideas and viewpoints for discussion. It is hard to pinpoint an exact definition of hate speech, but a possible description might be: any speech intended to provoke hatred based on race, color, sex, sexuality or religion.
In democratic societies such as America, Canada and Europe, freedom of speech is sometimes taken for granted, but is still held sacred by law. For instance, in Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the freedom of expression. The European Convention on Human Rights was signed in 1950 and entitles all citizens to flee expression. In Europe, the state of the situation regarding freedom of speech is that there is a very limited role for censorship and this is generally accepted throughout the population. This cannot be said for America, where there is a great divide between the 1st Amendment, which upholds freedom of speech and the 14th Amendment, which protects minority fights. This divide in America requires both sides to not only be able to read word for word what the Constitution reads, but be able to argue why it is correct. When discussing any issue, it is critical to hear from both sides. Just like other issues, there are pros and cons to freedom of speech.
Let"s use our university as an example. I think we can all agree that it is crucial to provide a safe haven that is available to everyone here at school. I think we can also agree that it is unequivocal to ensure that we censor hate speech, fight? What does this statement say about our rights? It dearly states that we have the duty to make sure that our rights as individuals do not violate the rights of others. We must realize that the rights we enjoy in a democratic society should be extended to others as well. Racial, sexual, and religious minority groups must have the right to be free from verbal abuse and fear. If these rights are violated, legal action must be taken by our university authorities.
Using the university setting again, let"s take a look at the other side of the coin regarding freedom of speech. I stated before that certain speech should be limited and this can be a good thing. In fact, in no country is freedom of speech absolute. Now, let"s suppose that this is abused. For example, the same laws that stand up for censoring those who use hate speech, can be used to silence or suppress certain groups the government or the university authorities find disruptive. On the other hand, the law which maintains the right to hate speech can be used in a positive way by protecting everyone"s freedom of speech.
I think it would be naive of me to say that we must agree with what everyone says. After all, we can all learn something by disagreeing with someone"s point of view; however, it is absolutely wrong to commit any kind of hate crime such as gay bashing or beating up someone based on their religious beliefs. The line must be very clear regarding a hate crime, but can be relaxed when censoring speech. Don"t forget that we all have the right to say what we want, even if no one agrees with it.