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Hate Speech As Theater, Adam White
Hate Speech As Theater, Adam White
Adam White
More public and philosophical attention has recently been given to hate speech. Hate speech does not merely hurt feelings; it is public communication that implies that the targeted group does not merit the constitutional protections assured the speaker. Hate speech poses a riddle given the liberal commitment to freedom of speech independent of content.
This paper argues that philosophers misdiagnose hate speech. The novel claim is that hate speech is a tactic in a game being played by the speakers. The game’s prize is the same kind of personal buzz felt by effective theater actors. Winning requires manipulating the audience’s …