Freedom of speech is a right protected by the First Amendment.
I’ve seen many people reply (in appropriate contexts) that freedom of speech is protected but freedom from consequences of said speech is not.
It’s a good point.
But the other day, I heard this reply, which I found equally compelling.
The context was in using derogatory and racist slang, and the person using it insisting that it’s free speech and they have a right to use those words if they want. (Which is entirely true. And also meets with the above reply.)
“But do you need to be an asshole, just because you have the right to?”
Good question. Not one that’s likely to get a good answer, especially when one is already triggered and in lizard brain. But a good question to reflect on when the rational brain is back in action.
