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[–]motionlessoracle 50 insightful - 3 fun50 insightful - 2 fun51 insightful - 3 fun -  (2 children)

A "hate crime" is an ordinary crime that is committed with the additional motivation of bigotry. Speaking is generally not a crime. Therefore, speaking cannot be a "hate crime".

The one exception is if you actually do commit a crime while speaking, such as slander, libel, making direct and highly specific threats, etc.

Saying "kill all TERFs" is not a crime, by the way, at least not in the USA. Nor is misgendering somebody. Since they are not crimes, they cannot be "hate crimes". There is no such thing as a "hate crime" exception to the First Amendment in the USA.

My condolences to anyone who is currently living in a country that actually does classify some speech as a "hate crime".

[–]RestingWitchface 21 insightful - 2 fun21 insightful - 1 fun22 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

I agree, and I believe this misuse of language is fully intended to confuse and mislead. Speech is not a hate crime, but it can be hateful. However, I don't see these people protesting against the hate and abuse that women receive online on a daily basis. This is not really about hate, it's about controlling speech.

[–]motionlessoracle 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Sadly must agree with you. It is about the addictive rush of power and control.