Does being racist fall under free speech?

Interesting question. I think what you found online is correct. I would have to agree... I wish that people didn't feel the need to act a certain way, or say certain things, but - then - it is not illegal to do so and I think those people , even if I don't agree - should have that right. As for the case of the baker not making the gay couple's wedding cake - unfortunate as that may be, at least they didn't spend their $ with that baker then.

Freedom of speech in a democracy is a right not a privilege so it comes with corresponding responsibilities and there are laws that supercedes that right wherein it could be suspended or taken away as in the right to suffrage or to vote.Sorry but Freedom of speech is not a license to break what should be lawful.

anyone has freedom to speak including bigots as long as it does not incite violence or dishonesty. There are rules, such as not yelling fire in a crowded theatre (unless there is a fire of course). Refusing to make a cake for a gay couple is discrimination, not speech - it denies a public service to someone just because they are gay which is against the law (the denial, not being gay).

I am no expert on this, but I would like to think that sensible thinking and words have to play a part in freedom of speech. Shouldn't respect supersede all else?

That's a good definition for free speech. Sometimes I hate it, especially when the person is speaking vulgarities to my face and tells me they have the right to speak such vomit. I think I also have the right not to listen to it, and tell them not to speak that way to me.

Hi Alfredo. From my understanding of Freedom, we can do anything, BUT in return we have a responsibility, which includes being respectful of others. Respect begets respect.

It is a real shame that free speech allows hate speech but it is impossible to have free speech and then curtail it. We of course also have the right not to listen to bigoted and hateful speech.

Being American, we all have the right to free speech, however, we also have the right to ignore it if we choose to do so.

Free speech is fine but at the same time you should not hurt someones feeling. That is not right at all.

We all have the right to free speech but that doesn't mean we don't have to pay for insults. You can say demeaning things to your boss but he can fire you. You can make racist remarks but you can be sued. I think the Supreme Court made a bad mistake on this one.I think if we run a business for the people that should be everyone regardless of gender, religion ,creed or color.

We have a right to speak our minds and dissent from both popular or unpopular opinions. We should not be forced to accept someone's view simply because that group feels they are in the right. We have the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. That right separates us from dictatorial regimes. Of course, doing it in a respectful way is best, however some topics become real battlegrounds, and both sides at times resort to violence or try to repress the other's view. This is wrong and should not be tolerated but unfortunately does happen. Personally, I think the word racist gets thrown around far to often today to justify someone's viewpoint. Many times words are taken out of context to fit that person's argument. For a civilized society we have become less and less civil over the past decade...

I personally think free speech is one of the most important things for keeping a democracy. It is easy to go from banning something that is generally disliked to a political party banning all criticism.I also think it makes bad ideas more dangerous.It prevents them being proved wrong in open debate.And pushing the idea underground allows them to argue it must be true as the government is suppressing it because it is a threat to their power.

I guess freedom of speech means what you think can say aloud and there is nothing harm in it. If other person get offended it's also show that they aren't providing you freedom. But to say something to hurt someone is bad

As a mixed race person that hails from a country(South Africa) where free speech was limited for decades allow me to add my 5 cents worth. Free speech is the inherent right of any individual in any country of the world. It is however a right that demands execution with caution as the usage thereof should not curtail other inherent rights such as religious freedoms, life, liberty and personal security etc. It is therefor incumbent on all of us to bear other rights in mind when exercising our self-believed justified rights. In the case of the baker who refused to bake for the gay couple, I personally feel that the US Supreme Court exercised excellent judgment as it basically took both parties (plaintiff & defendant's) sacred rights into consideration and gave neither too much or took away too many from both parties.

Hate speech is indeed protected under the Constitution. It does not mean, however, that there will be no consequences publicly for it. But there IS a double standard. Liberals can get away with hate speech much more easily than conservatives can.