Posted by Someone Else at 7:09pm Sep 30 '11First off, I know several of you have no idea what WHOF is--it's short for Wipeout Homophobia On Facebook (and they do acknowledge that wipeout is supposed to be two words). They seek out and report the hell out of homophobic hate pages on Facebook with the goal of having those pages deleted. I'm less against them than against similar types of groups, because hate groups are expressly forbidden in the Facebook terms of service.
But here's what it comes down to...I believe in free speech. 100% free speech. I don't care if I agree with you or not, I am NOT okay with you not being allowed to say anything you want to say--even if it's hateful, even if it makes me uncomfortable. I need to make sure I have the quote exactly right before I go get it tattooed on me somewhere, but I do want the "I don't like what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" quote permanently inked into my skin.
I am *adamantly* opposed to ever stifling anyone's opinion. If nothing else, because it makes them feel wronged, makes them feel like martyrs, makes them feel more justified in their hateful opinions. But also because...I have some pretty out there opinions by many people's standards, and I'm not okay with being told to shut up just because someone disagrees with me. I'd be a blazing hypocrite if I demanded silence of anyone whom I disagree with. For that matter, I'd be a hypocrite for not standing up for the free speech of anyone I disagree with. I don't care what you're saying...if anyone ever tells you that you don't have a right to say it, I'm going to get in that person's face and set them straight, and I won't be kind about it. We're all entitled to our opinions, and we're all entitled to use our words to express them.
I am all for changing hateful opinions. But I am absolutely and totally against stifling hateful opinions, or any opinions at all. One of the things I think we really have right here in the US is the right to free speech. I think that should be a basic human right, along with food and shelter.
This black police officer protecting the safety and free speech of a KKK member at a rally is my absolute number one hero of all time...if only we could all be so strong. (photo from 1983)
But here's what it comes down to...I believe in free speech. 100% free speech. I don't care if I agree with you or not, I am NOT okay with you not being allowed to say anything you want to say--even if it's hateful, even if it makes me uncomfortable. I need to make sure I have the quote exactly right before I go get it tattooed on me somewhere, but I do want the "I don't like what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" quote permanently inked into my skin.
I am *adamantly* opposed to ever stifling anyone's opinion. If nothing else, because it makes them feel wronged, makes them feel like martyrs, makes them feel more justified in their hateful opinions. But also because...I have some pretty out there opinions by many people's standards, and I'm not okay with being told to shut up just because someone disagrees with me. I'd be a blazing hypocrite if I demanded silence of anyone whom I disagree with. For that matter, I'd be a hypocrite for not standing up for the free speech of anyone I disagree with. I don't care what you're saying...if anyone ever tells you that you don't have a right to say it, I'm going to get in that person's face and set them straight, and I won't be kind about it. We're all entitled to our opinions, and we're all entitled to use our words to express them.
I am all for changing hateful opinions. But I am absolutely and totally against stifling hateful opinions, or any opinions at all. One of the things I think we really have right here in the US is the right to free speech. I think that should be a basic human right, along with food and shelter.
This black police officer protecting the safety and free speech of a KKK member at a rally is my absolute number one hero of all time...if only we could all be so strong. (photo from 1983)
Why I disagree with WHOF and similar groups - Someone Else