Assignment 4: Speech and Consequences

Due before class on Thursday, April 5.
 

Introduction

In class, we discussed a variety of speech, both online and offline, that are protected under the First Amendment.  As Chief Justice Douglas wrote in his 1973 dissent to the three-tiered test of obscenity in the Miller v. California Supreme Court decision,

The First Amendment was designed 'to invite dispute,' to induce 'a condition of unrest,' to 'create dissatisfaction with conditions as they are,' and even to stir 'people to anger.' The idea that the First Amendment permits punishment for ideas that are 'offensive' to the particular judge or jury sitting in judgment is astounding. No greater leveler of speech or literature has ever been designed. To give the power to the censor, as we do today, is to make a sharp and radical break with the traditions of a free society.

It is in this way that the First Amendment and free speech supports our democratic ideals.  As awful as speech can be, it’s what sets us apart from countries that do not have these freedoms.

Instructions:
For this assignment, find an example of offensive, uncivil speech.  It can be provocative, distasteful, intentional or not.  Does it allow any chance for rebuttal?  Is the response primary by others to ignore it?  Get engaged? Outraged?  In 2-3 paragraphs, summarize the description of the event and the response(s) to it.  You can post videos, blog posts, online harassment, vitriolic radio and news media, websites that espouse white supremacy.  Pretty much any media site.   

Post the assignment here. After you post, go back and comment on others’ posts.  The idea is to read and comment and thereby make it more interactive.