Is Hate Speech Constitutional?

In a recent poll, the Gallup Knight Foundation is finding that, “fewer students believe first amendment rights are more secure today than they were a year ago.” This comes during a time where free speech and its limitations are heavily debated. It’s a somewhat grey area where it’s hard to define when certain speech and expression is lawful and wether is it not.

When reading about these recent occurrences of hate speech on the internet I came across this quote. It reads, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This is attributed to, but not written by, Voltaire. It’s implications to social media today are not as direct, and don’t apply as cleanly as they do to physical speech. However, it’s important to dissent, and to have the right to do it openly and honestly. Furthermore, it’s even more important to define what constitutes unlawful speech, and the parameters that govern language today. 

What constitutes hate speech? Can you constitutionally limit what people say? Is it possible to limit and police speech in the era of social media and technology?

The Real Problem

A new study done by a charity in the UK is finding that the percent of teens experiencing depression has reached 33%. The study which surveyed 15-18 year olds finds the number of people experiencing this problem is alarmingly high. Many researchers are worried that if those experiencing this problem don’t seek out help that it will lead to more issues as this generations reaches adulthood.

The problem with depression it’s such a taboo topic, and not often discussed enough in the media or in schools. Although this study was only done in the UK, the issue affects every corner of the globe. Depression far more common than most people think. The article, which promotes seeking help, talks about the Blues Programme, an organization devoted to helping the younger generation better understand depression and how to move past it. The article takes an important step towards redefining depression itself. However, I believe the problem may not be those who are experiencing depression, but how we interact, and help those people.

Do you think this issue should be discussed more? Why is depression a taboo topic if it’s so common? How do we as a society raise awareness for this issue?

Article - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/teenagers-mental-health-problems-emotional-well-being-action-children-a8589261.html

Are Overdoses Over With?

Recently, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have banded together almost unanimously so combat out opioid crisis. The bill to help prevent the trafficking, over-prescribing, and addictiveness of opioids.

This legislature shows great promise of making an impact, but some lawmakers are scared that the opioid epidemic in America wont disappear too quickly. On of the skepticisms comes from Patty Murray who says, “This is an important bill and it is an impactful step forward... The opioid crisis is ongoing and out efforts to address it must be as well.” Lastly, I encourage you all to read the whole article on the specifics of the bill here: (https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/senate-opioids-legislation/index.html)

Do you think that this bill is cracking down hard enough on trafficking? What do you make of the bipartisan support for the bill? Can negative events and experiences be both a bridge and a border?

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