Hate Online
The website is a virtual newspaper where anyone can publish whatever they like. Freedom of speech is probably the one amendment that everyone in the United States knows if they do not know any others. There will always be citizens who will uphold and exercise this amendment no matter if what they are saying has no research backing, if it supports taking away other individuals freedoms, or just undermines the reason why the United States was supposedly created to begin with; freedom for all.
Then this poses a question. Is
it just to let one individual or group of individuals exercise their freedom of
speech if it poses a threat to another individuals or group of individuals’
right to be and feel safe? According
to the United States Map of Hate Groups,
the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project
counted 708 active hate groups in the United States in 2002. The list compiled by the center only included organizations
and their chapters that were actually active during 2002.
So for those who might think hate does not exist and that it is just a page from out of a history book there is actual research to prove that thought incorrect. Knowing that these organizations are out there and are able to say and publish whatever they like on the internet because they are protected under the freedom of speech amendment where does that leave the concerned citizen?
All throughout the World Wide Web there are sites preaching hatred. During the years where terrorism is at its height and law officials are taking extreme measure to prevent terrorist attacks should individuals feel safe knowing it is legal for these types of sites to announce and attract as many followers as possible. There have been several publishing’s about internet censorship some would reject the notion of ‘hate sites’ or merely minimize their significance, arguing that free speech is a paramount importance. Others are concerned about the use of the web to promote violence or discrimination. They state that information or misinformation can have real consequences.
Freedom
of Speech
Freedom of speech according to Derechos Human Rights, states that freedom of expression is one of the most fundamental rights that individuals enjoy. It is fundamental to the existence of democracy and the respect of human dignity. It is also one of the most dangerous rights, because freedom of expression means the freedom to express one's discontent with the status quo and the desire to change it. As such, it is one of the most threatened rights, with governments - and even human rights groups - all over the world constantly trying to curtail it.
The United States, probably like no other nation, has recognized the importance of freedom of expression to safeguard democracy and grow as a nation. However, this does not mean there are no efforts to try to curtail it. The internet has often been the target of these efforts, as it provides practically everyone with the ability to communicate their ideas to wide audiences and escapes the ability of the state to control it.
Imperial
Klans of America Knights of the Ku Klux Klan,
**When was the last time you heard
of yet another black man getting away with murder? Probably today! You see these
black beasts all the time with our White women! There is a constant rise in
rapes and murders committed against our White race! And there will continue to
be a rise until you stand up and say "that's it! I have had enough!"
**Also I'm sure you have noticed homosexuality
is also on the rise? You say that we are just being hateful again? Not quite,
think about this; Those of you from Arkansas particularly. Remember what
happened to Leggit & Sheppard that assaulted the gays? Yeah I thought so!
Well what about when little Jessie Dirkishing was molested and killed by the
perverted queers? Chances are you never heard about little Jessie! You still
think we are the haters?
The Hammerskin Nation does not try to hide the fact that it wants to recruit disillusioned young people. "Everyday we get a letter from some kid who is fed up with his multi-culturist surroundings," boasts an editorial in the Hammerskin magazine, Hammerskin Press. "They are looking for answers and a way out....Kids grow up without any form of self-identity. They are given two choices, either go with the 'norm' of multi-culturalism and race mixing or be deemed an outcast, a minority. Let's take hold of the Racist minority and welcome them into the movement."
The National
Socialist Movement,
Only members of the nation may be citizens of the state. Only those of pure White blood, whatever their creed, may be members of the nation. Non-citizens may live in America only as guests and must be subject to laws for aliens. Accordingly, no Jew or homosexual may be a member of the nation. The right to vote on the State government and legislation shall be enjoyed by citizens of the state alone. The leaders of the movement promise to work ruthlessly-if need be to sacrifice their very lives-to translate this program into action.
I have just
included a few exerts from ‘hate sites’ that were blatant and clear hate.
There are thousands of sites out there but all of them have hate
disclaimers. Some of them hide
under religion and others hide under race unity.
Not all of these sites by these organizations that are known as
‘hate’ organizations are as obvious as the ones included previously in this
paper. For individuals who are
confused, misguided, under age or not mentally mature they can mistake these
organizations for something they would like to be apart of.
Alternatively, they might feel that this is the way they can make a
difference or change their insecurities about themselves; which is not the case.
How can we as American citizen protected others and ourselves from these
organizations?
Internet
Censorship
There have been several efforts to censor the internet on a federal and state level. Some of these efforts have been successful and others have not but all of these efforts have gone under protest by internet users.
On February 1, 1996 Congress passed the Communications Decency Act which prohibited indecent and obscene material to be placed on the web.
In December 2000, the United States Congress passed legislation requiring Internet blocking technology to block pornographic materials in all public schools and libraries funded through certain federal programs, Internet Censorship.
These laws that were passed are for pornographic materials on the World Wide Web. There have not been any laws preventing ‘hate’ sites online. I believe that this will soon change considering the situation that the world is in right now with the war on terror.
References
Altschiller, Donald. (1999) Hate crimes: reference handbook. Denver: Colorado.