Wander project in the sad reality of internet hate speech

I read an interesting article the other day; well, I read part of it. I couldn’t get past the first paragraph, honestly. “Social Media removing posts” was the loose title. The reality of the post was a complaint about the author’s posts being removed. Let’s start with the easy button on this one. Just because something is published on the internet doesn’t make it a fact or make it not a fact. The determination of fact status requires validation. Let’s start with not liking something. If you don’t like what is said, move on. But, as we consider that ongoing reality, not liking something should label it Fake News. It is simply something you don’t like.

Fact-free publications are fine on the internet. They are not something I read, but I often end up on the same site as those articles. I avoid them like the plague. Here is my rule of thumb for pieces that are published on the internet. If a site removes posts by or bans an author, that is a warning sign. The sign is that their posts have crossed one of two lines that break down the freedom of speech rights. I believe all people have the right to speak their minds. Once, however, you write it down and publish it on the internet, you have to be careful. You see, there are certain immutable rules that we all have to live by. One of those is quite simple we can’t publish racist things.

Racism crosses a line into what is called Hate-Speech. Hate speech is not protected by the first amendment of the US Constitution. Hate-Speech in and of itself is a crime in the US. So, when a social or writing site removes hate speech, that isn’t censorship. Put, removing posts and authors that promote hate speech and racist rhetoric is a responsibility. I see lots of that type of post on many social sites.  I block and report users that make that type of speech publically. My commitment is to humanity. My role in this world honestly is to do the right things.  I wish the “self” filter worked for all people. That information published on the internet was validated and verified. Since it isn’t our job, and by our, I mean everyone, to make sure hate speech and racism is not supported.