B2 – Upper Intermediate
With all the anonymity the internet provides trolls and the negativity in the world, many had been wondering if hate speech as defined by Encyclopedia Britannica as an expression that denigrates a person or persons on the basis of (alleged) membership in a social group identified by attributes such as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, and etc.
The typical hate speech would usually have slurs that promote malicious stereotypes and intended to incite violence or hatred against someone or a group. After the series of suicide cases among celebrities in South Korea it has been a debate on social media if it is possible to regulate hate speech as it has been limitless and not punishable by law because they are only considered by many to be simply free speech.
Watch the video below to further understand hate speech.
Discussion Questions:
- When do we know that free speech becomes hate speech?
- When does hate speech become dangerous?
- Should people spread hate speech be held accountable for their words?
- Is hate speech a precursor to more serious violence or crimes?
- Is there a need to regulate or censored hate speech?