Should we be free to hate?

Spiked-USspecializes in cutting-edge, powerful and provocative journalism and public discussions that deepen and remake the case for freedom.spikedonlineis our sister publication, an online magazine based in the UK but which speaks to the world, where we publish a combination of daily polemics on politics and culture, long-reads, podcasts and a series of online documentary shorts.The New York Law School chapter of the American Constitution Society(NYLS ACS) is a student organization affiliated with the national ACS, the nation’s leading progressive legal organization, founded on the principle that the law should be a force to improve the lives of all people.

Spiked US and the New York Law School chapter of the American Constitution Society

In the era of Trump and the Resistance, hate is considered more than an emotion; it is considered a problem. We are told it fuels divisions, psychologically damages its targets and perhaps even promotes violence. Is there any truth to this? After all, what one person deems a hateful attitude, another might see as a passionately held belief. Is it important to be free to express what we believe, even if others might experience it as hatred? Should we really be talking about outlawing and regulating people's passions at all? Or is there too much at stake? Do people not deserve the protection of the law? Should we, in short, be free to hate? Spiked US and the New York Law School chapter of the progressive American Constitution Society have put together a panel of free speech experts to explore whether we ought to have the liberty to loathe. But because our panelists hold deeply conflicting positions on such divisive issues as homosexuality and abortion, this event will truly explore our mutual hatreds, and whether it is possible to tolerate views we find personally objectionable. 
Speakers
Nadine Strossen, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law at New York Law School, is the immediate past President of the American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008). Strossen still holds leadership positions in the ACLU and other human rights organizations, and she is a frequent public speaker and media commentator. Her newest book is <A HREF="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/hate-9780190859121?q=hate&cc=gb&lang=en" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">HATE: Why We Should Resist it With Free Speech, Not Censorship</A> (Oxford University Press 2018).
Paul Coleman is the author of <A HREF="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Censored-Paul-Coleman/dp/B01FHZ27BW" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Censored: Why European Laws are a Threat to Free Speech</A>. He is executive director of ADF International, overseeing the advocacy and operations of the global, alliance-building human rights organization. Coleman was part of the legal team in the historic Eweida and others v. United Kingdom case, where the court handed down a landmark ruling on religious freedom.
Brendan O'Neill is editor of spiked, the online magazine based in London but speaking to the world. He is one of Britain’s most controversial, thoughtful and polarising commentators. You can find his weekly editorials <A HREF="https://www.spiked-online.com/author/brendan-oneill/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</A>. He has also had a collection of his essays published, under the title <A HREF="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duty-Offend-Selected-Essays-Brendan/dp/1925138763" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">A Duty to Offend</A>.

New York Law School, Room W400

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