Anti-Semitism and the Overlooked Benefits of Allowing 'Hate Speech'

Recent increases in anti-Semitic speech and violence have led to calls for censorship of such “hate speech.” Unfortunately, discussions regarding the tradeoff between censorship and free speech often focus solely on the costs and benefits of censorship, omitting the numerous benefits of allowing “hate speech.” This incomplete analysis results in an unjustified bias toward censorship. This Article chronicles the often-overlooked benefits of allowing “hate speech,” thus providing a more accurate assessment of the tradeoffs that need to be considered. The Article concludes by explaining how it is strategically advantageous for free-speech advocates to emphasize the benefits of allowing “hate speech” rather than simply warning of the harms of censorship