Topic #4: Should there be limits on Freedom of Speech?
Yes, there should be limits.
Side Score: 6
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No, there should not be limits
Side Score: 10
Winning Side! |
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Argument 1: According to Human Rights experts in visionlaunch.com, Freedom of Speech can be very harmful to everyone. This can be observed when an individual shouts ‘fire’ in a building full of people. This can be damaging as it can cause a stampede that could put the lives of people at risk just because a person exercised his right. Another instance is when extremists groups will utilise this without having to consider how incredibly hurtful, slanderous or mean-spirited they have become. Adding to that, racism plays a big part in how Freedom of Speech hurts people. According to the UN, a woman named Creuza Olivera, a domestic worker in Brazil was racially abused because of her skin colour. She was working in a 'white neighbourhood' and she quoted, "I was constantly being called a monkey or a slave" Side: Yes, there should be limits.
Dispute: Even though some comments are harmful to others by being sexist or racist, the citizens of America have the right to say those things. But then again, people should show responsibility in what they say and be aware of how it may affect other people. When someone posts something offensive, companies shouldn’t ban the comment or post, they should just give out warnings, because people can express their thoughts with the 1st amendment. Side: No, there should not be limits
Support: With freedom of speech, you can express your personal thoughts and views on the government. The 1st amendment allows people to say what they want without a risk of fines or a time in jail. Side: No, there should not be limits
Support: Freedom of Speech also encourages bullying because bullies are aloud to call other people whatever they want. Approximately 34% of the students report experiencing cyberbullying during their lifetime and 15% of students admitted to cyberbullying others during their lifetime (Patchin, 2015). Suicide is the 2nd highest cause of death in the United States. Due to cyberbullying, at least 100 young people attempt suicide, and 14 percent of high school students consider suicide, and 7 percent have attempted it. The younger they are the more likely they will attempt suicide. Side: Yes, there should be limits.
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Argument#1: A Magazine editor, Rachael Jolley stated that: “Free speech has always been important throughout history because it has been used to fight for change. When we talk about rights today they wouldn’t have been achieved without free speech. For example in the past women weren't allowed to vote and had or terrible working conditions - free speech helped change these things” she said. Free speech is not only about your ability to speak but the ability to listen to others and allow other views to be heard. Jolley added: “We need to hear other people’s views as well as offering them your opinion. Therefore when people are allowed to freely talk about things change(s) can be made. Side: No, there should not be limits
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Even though I fully agree that peaceful protests can be used to fight for change, protests can be very violent. When protests become violent, they become riots. Riots can injure and even kill people. In 1992, during the Los Angeles riots 63 people were killed, 2,383 people were injured, and more than 12,000 were arrested. Side: Yes, there should be limits.
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Dispute: Even though protests can become very violent when they physically harm others for example if many people die. They will be charged for killing people but not specifically for speaking freely, as it violates the first amendment. There was a peaceful protest on May Day however a man threw a rock so he was arrested. He wasn't arrested for expressing his believes but he was arrested for harming people. In other words there are not only violent protest but there are some peaceful protests. Side: No, there should not be limits
Argument #2: Individuals can follow their paths and religions without the fear of being harmed. People can find others that share the same beliefs and build organizations and groups together. Side: No, there should not be limits
Humans aren't perfect. They will make mistakes. If some people follow their own paths it will lead them to madness. For example, the KKK openly displayed their hatred towards most African-Americans by burning their houses and later hanging them on the trees while burning the Christian Cross. Side: Yes, there should be limits.
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