# Is hate speech really not banned on the boards? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 31, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283 "2015-10-31T20:20:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/41 "2015-11-01T20:43:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Take everything I say at face value – nothing calls for quashing discussion or making anything verboten. “Discussions about the inherent value of races tend to be extremely contentious and should be relegated to the most contentious part of the board” isn’t making it forbidden. “Hey, that thing you said might be inappropriate or racist” isn’t making it forbidden – in fact, that’s what I want people to do with me. It’s part of making people better and making the board better. > > As for “quashing discussion”, many discussions are already “quashed” and “verboten”. “The Jews should all be burned alive” is a verboten discussion on the SDMB. I assume you’re fine with this – I’m fine with this too. I think the discussions that are already “verboten” are in the right category, and I don’t think I want to forbid any other discussions. I think that racist assertions should be allowed to be called racist (and in general they are) – and this isn’t quashing anything, or forbidding anything. I think the Pit would be the best place for such discussions, as they would allow everything to be fully and accurately characterized within the rules of the board. Yep. Just as I said. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/42 "2015-11-01T20:44:40Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I disagree with your description of A as someone at the opposite end of the spectrum of a vile racist. Implied in your description of Poster A, who you would design to tolerate, is 1) that he/she is ignorant a, 2) not intelligent, and 3) is quick to surrender his position. To clarify, I in no way intended to imply number 3. I merely say that Poster A does not engage in endless hijacking for his pet cause. Like most normal posters, he isn’t a one trick pony. > [@](#): > > Hope that answers what you were trying to get at. For what I was trying to get at, click the link in post 3. I was observing that I haven’t seen any defenses of that sort of behavior as of yet. It may be defensible. But it would be a different argument than that involving Poster A. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/43 "2015-11-01T20:44:40Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Yep. Just as I said. Or I’m actually being honest and there is some nuance here. It might make it a little harder to understand, but some things aren’t as simple as black and white. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/44 "2015-11-01T20:52:14Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > To clarify, I in no way intended to imply number 3. I merely say that Poster A does not engage in endless hijacking for his pet cause. Like most normal posters, he isn’t a one trick pony. For what I was trying to get at, click the link in post 3. I was observing that I haven’t seen any defenses of that sort of behavior as of yet. It may be defensible. But it would be a different argument than that involving Poster A. I’m running out now, but I don’t see the link you’re referring to. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/45 "2015-11-01T20:56:01Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Nope. > > The only one that comes to mind is the recent one that was discussing the inferior academic performance of blacks in the U.S. and the degree that genetics played a role in that. An uncomfortable discussion, yes. But not the same as “Blacks are Inferior”. [Really?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=484307) [Just](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=669268) [one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=484307)[thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=426027)? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/46 "2015-11-01T20:57:55Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I’m running out now, but I don’t see the link you’re referring to. There is a blue button on Construct’s quote in post 3. Click it and witness a post that presents paint peeling bigotry, as I perceive it. If that’s a borderline case, which it may be, then I think it’s fair to say that people of color may very well encounter unsanctioned paint peeling bigotry on this message board from time to time, though some forms of hate speech are banned. No worries about running out: I think I’ll take a break now as well. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/47 "2015-11-01T22:09:35Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > You know, the whole “Bias in moderating against Conservatives” tread made me think - do we _have_ any mods who are non-North American? This is an American message board. Why should there be? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/48 "2015-11-01T22:23:44Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Except when **Sleeping Synapse** did make the claim that Jews have a “propensity” for terrorism which he backed up with evidence(bad evidence but still evidence) he was promptly given a warning for hate speech which was apparently upgraded to an instaban. There was more to the banning of **Sleeping Synapse** than a single link to Wikipedia’s article on Irgun. (Even that was hardly an effort to provide evidence of Jewish proclivities.) He had other issues, as well. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/49 "2015-11-01T22:32:14Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > > [@tomndebb](#): > > > > If someone provided evidence to support their claims regarding Eurasians or Jews, in your scenario, it would be permitted on the board for the purpose of allowing other posters with better evidence and logic to refute it. > > Bullshit. > > You and the rest of the mod staff might believe that, but frankky no one else with an iota of common sense does. > > Bears repeating. Bullshit. As so well established with the numerous citations you provided, here. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/50 "2015-11-01T22:33:39Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This is an American message board. Why should there be? Just so. I’m English, conservative too, and I have never felt a stranger here or discriminated against either because of nationality or politics. It matters not a jot where the mods come from, what matters is the impartiality of their moderation and I have no complaints in that quarter at all. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/51 "2015-11-01T22:43:12Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This is an American message board. Why should there be? Certainly it’s primarily an American message board. We have many members from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia. We’ve got members from India, South Africa, Thailand, France, Germany, China. . . Geez, I could go on for a while. Just off the top of my head, we’ve had moderators from Canada, the Netherlands, and India. Does it matter to you? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/52 "2015-11-01T22:44:53Z")
I swear, I will never get over this place if I am here a million years. A poster who uses a derogatory ethnic slur, and _almost literally in the next breath_ complains about bigotry. My gosh. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/53 "2015-11-01T22:49:03Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Just off the top of my head, we’ve had moderators from Canada, the Netherlands, and India. Does it matter to you? No, but apparently it matters to Mr. Dibble, for some unknown reason. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/54 "2015-11-02T00:43:42Z")
Examples of so-called blatant racism, please. Also, free speech is how you win debates. Liberals used to believe this. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/55 "2015-11-02T00:55:27Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Also, free speech is how you win debates. Liberals used to believe this. Just can’t fucking resist, can you? ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/56 "2015-11-02T01:04:16Z")
The irony of a conservative disavowing censorship? No, I cannot resist. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/57 "2015-11-02T03:02:15Z")
It’s threads like this that make me appreciate how hard the moderating job is and how good it generally is. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/58 "2015-11-02T03:22:06Z")
Racism (and sexism for that matter) are rampant here and always have been. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/59 "2015-11-02T03:28:05Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > There was more to the banning of **Sleeping Synapse** than a single link to Wikipedia’s article on Irgun. (Even that was hardly an effort to provide evidence of Jewish proclivities.) He had other issues, as well. Ok, I get the impression you’re saying that he was banned for other reasons you can’t discuss and I’ll respect that and respect your decision. Nevertheless, he merely declared Jews had a “propensity” to engage in terrorism, provided evidence(bad evidence but still evidence) to back up his claim and was promptly given a warning for hate speech. The fact is that had he made such a statement about Muslims and provided a link to a terrorist attack that didn’t get remotely the kind of support the bombing of the King David Hotel received conducted by people without remotely the kind of status of Begin or the founders of the Likud party that he would not have received a mod note much less a warning for hate speech. We’ve had countless examples of people making vastly more noxious statements about Muslims and blacks, it been reported and nothing was done about it and in many case such behavior actively defended. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283/60 "2015-11-02T04:05:11Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > The irony of a conservative disavowing censorship? > > No, I cannot resist. On a privately owned message board, they can ban any type of speech they want to. It has nothing to do with “censorship”. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hate-speech-really-not-banned-on-the-boards/736283.md?page=4)