a person completes when being persecuted. The government is asked much of the time to step in and play a role when speech is thought unacceptable in the work environment. However, the question lies in how far the government can regulate the practices of private business and protect the rights of the employees. The answer comes when the government is able to define the difference between hate speech and harassment. In the case of private business, harassment in the workplace occurs against one small group or individual where hate speech is on a grander scale so that no one person is singled out. Harassment is illegal whereas hate speech is still legal. For instance yelling fire in a crowded theater or inciting violence are already illegal (Leo 2). Once again the government is in a dilemma of deciding what is acceptable and unacceptable speech. Censoring speech does not stop workers from holding grudges or feelings toward other co-workers. In fact, the ability to express one’s opinion lessens the chance for built up tension to lead to violence. Professor of Law Nadine Strossen states that, “first there is no persuasive psychological evidence that punishment for name-calling changes deeply held attitudes. To the contrary, psychological studies show that censored speech becomes more appealing and persuasive to many listeners merely by virtue of the censorship” (Strossen 1). In effect, restraining individuals from expressing their feelings is more dangerous than having them express hateful ideas. Even if the other workers are offended they have the right to use counter speech. If the speech tends to attack one individual that individual has the right to sue for harassment, but if the remarks are general hateful remarks not aimed at one person, then that is hate speech.In the arts and entertainment industry, hateful expression is doing two things: giving false impressions to massive audiences, and inciting viol...
