by Vicki Phipps

Created on: February 05, 2011

We, the people of America are all for free speech and we’ll fight for your right to disagree with any one of us, including the president we elect, but that doesn’t mean we should tolerate what people legally say to instigate hate. It’s an abuse of the truth and a disgrace to the constitution, which was designed in ways that require us to tolerate what and who we hate and/or what or who makes us afraid. Even so, tolerance is a choice we make and when people instigate hate in the name of free speech, they rob us of the very things that made the United States great, like diversity, liberty, justice, hope and faith.

Any hate speech you hear is always based on fear and fear has always been our worst enemy in the land of the free. That’s why we must keep in mind that since we also claim to live in the home of the brave, we have to face what makes us afraid. Otherwise, the monsters in our minds keep biting our society’s behind. Besides, more often than not, fear is based on nothing but ignorance, so one way we can refuse to tolerate the hate people instigate is to educate ourselves and everyone else.

If you listen to the guy your friends despise, you might find that he’s not the demon your friends made him out to be. You can then exercise your right to disagree which will eventually benefit your friends and maybe even the country. Hate is a waste of time because it almost always hides behind a lie, based on false information, misinterpretations and ignorance, so if we want to reduce the need for any hate speech, we need to speak out when people abuse the truth. Otherwise, your silent tolerance indicates that you agree with the hateful speech. Free speech was meant to lead to the truth and the truth is what provides liberty and justice for all.

To keep from abusing free speech, we have to open our minds and listen to the other guy sometimes. We must refuse to pay attention to men who get paid to make us hate each other. Those who profit from the hate they create benefit no one but themselves. They are not patriots, but opportunists who take advantage of hard times, so let’s pay more attention to those who motivate unity and hope. You don’t have to blindly agree with every inspirational speech, but at least you wont be mad, sad or hopeless.

The constitution was intended to unite us not divide us. That’s why we should not tolerate the damage, disgrace and harm every hate speech creates. With the whole world watching, their words hang in the air everywhere, making hypocrites of us who tolerate such hateful stuff. Still, it’s a choice we make, so do we choose hope or hate? Do we want to be free or do we want to be safe in a false sense of security? The truth is there’s no such thing as safe and secure in a free society. To maintain our faith in all that made the United States great, we must rise above the fear and hate. Don’t put up with what does more harm than good. Only then will we never again have to tolerate a hate speech.

Learn more about this author, Vicki Phipps.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.