After Christchurch: rethinking progressive approaches to diversity and extremism | Josie Pagani

JOSIE PAGANI

STRAIGHT AND TRUE

After Christchurch: rethinking progressive approaches to diversity and extremism

Some on the left who were comfortable with nationalism when it came from the political left have pivoted. They now seek to argue that violent extremism is brewed in a public debate made toxic by right-wing talk show hosts, criticism of the burqa or vocal scepticism about the doctrines of Islam.
It's not a fully convincing argument. In the past I would not have hesitated to make the case for freedom of speech and the art of persuasion through argument and debate. The best way to deal with bad arguments is to make good ones. Banning hate speech makes people afraid to disagree, and by silencing people who merely make mistakes you miss the opportunity to change their minds. We can now see a limit to this principle more clearly from New Zealand. You don't have the right to incite violence - shout ‘fire’ in a cinema just because you can - and you don't have the right to impose restrictions on others on account of their identity.

After New Zealand's tragedy, Josie discusses diversity, hate speech and free expression.

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