Caitlin Ring Carlson

Este libro pretende arrojar luz sobre el complicado fenómeno del discurso del odio desde una perspectiva que abarca tanto las problemáticas legales como los conflictos y debates que suscita en nuestra sociedad digital. Para ello, se analiza el problema en profundidad y se valoran dos de sus dimensiones que más acuciantes resultan actualmente: la creciente presencia del discurso del odio entre los jóvenes que participan de entornos educativos, por un lado, y, por el otro, su compleja difusión a traves de las redes sociales y los medios de comunicación. Por último, se dedica un capítulo al futuro inmediato y a aquellas ideas, iniciativas y actitudes que pueden contribuir a combatir no solo el discurso del odio propiamente dicho, sino tambien su propagación y sus efectos negativos en la sociedad.… (más)

This is an interesting introduction to the concept of hate speech and how it is treated in contemporary society.

The first section is a comparative analysis of hate speech legislation and history in countries such as Japan, South Africa, Brazil, and the US. The different comparisons didn't form a coherent whole to me. While the concept of hate speech was the common thread, I felt it needed another hook to help me as the reader make previously unseen connections. It was really more of a survey and got repetitive as new countries' approaches were discussed.

The next section, dealing with hate speech on college campuses, was much better. The common narrative that college students are coddled babies is thoroughly dispelled. My favorite part was the dismantling of the thesis of "The Coddling of the American Mind". That book was written by two white males as a call to go back to how things used to be. Carlson talked about the disparities in how white and non-white students feel about suppressing hate speech in the name of freedom of speech. White students, who are rarely the target of this speech, are more amenable to allowing the free expression of hate speech. Given the demographic shift over the next few decades to make whites a minority population, it'll be interesting to see if this attitude changes.

There's also a generational and demographic difference in how hate speech is seen by society. Whites and Baby Boomers are much more likely to advocate for minimal curbing of speech. They don't care if hate speech infringes upon the dignity of a person because that's not an issue these people have. If the Trump presidency and the Jan. 6 insurrection are anything to go by, white people will not allow themselves to become a minority without a vigorous fight. At that point, all the things that they are currently fighting against may suddenly become urgent issues that need to be addressed as quickly as possible.

In the final part of the book, Carlson discusses possible remedies for curbing hate speech. I thought that her suggestion to expand defamation statutes to allow for redress on a private level is a good solution to how we can protect people and speech. She also urges social media companies to do a better job moderating hate speech, but I don't think that will ever happen as long there's money to be made by allowing it. Let's hope one these solutions is implemented here in the US.

I recommend this book to be read by all who care about fostering a more inclusive society. The people who need to read this book the most will not do so because it threatens their status quo. Still, it never hurts to try to bring these folks to the light.… (más)

Hate Speech by Caitlin Ring Carlson is a wonderful and much needed volume that describes both what hate speech is and possible ways to curb it. A great addition to MIT's Essential Knowledge series.

Carlson gives a good description of what hate speech is as well as what it isn't, or at least what isn't widely considered hate speech. Like any discussion that covers such a broad nuanced subject in a limited space, there are some places where a reader might either feel a description did not go deep enough or where nuance was omitted for the sake of making a point as well as brevity. My biggest complaint falls into the second category.

In discussing the intersection of free speech, hate speech, and college campuses the topic of trigger warnings is brought up. Unfortunately they are only mentioned with respect to hate speech type of material and by extension Carlson all but states that those questioning the extent of their use is lobbying for maintaining the status quo and inflicting pain and discomfort on those the warnings are for. That is not only wrong, horribly wrong, but disingenuous at best. Opinions on trigger warnings do not fall into such a nice dichotomous structure, they are varied and nuanced just as any other tool or policy debate. It is particularly disturbing coming from a fellow academic, though my classroom days are past. It is not either/or and to present it as such is either intentionally misleading or evidence of a large gaping hole in her knowledge on the topic. Either way, it makes that section of the book far less impactful than it could, and should, have been.

My personal issue with hyperbole and misstatement aside, the book is still well worth reading and does a fine job of explaining what is being done around the world, what the basic assumptions at the core of the actions (or inactions) are, and how the culture of each country plays into what can or cannot, currently, be done.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (más)