Destructive Messages: How Hate Speech Paves the Way For Harmful Social Movements

by Alexander Tsesis

Overview

Destructive Messages argues that hate speech is dangerous not only when it poses an immediate threat of harm. It is also dangerous when it is systematically developed over time, becoming part of a culturally acceptable dialogue which can foster the persecution of minorities.
Tsesis traces a causal link between racist and biased rhetoric and injustices like genocide and slavery. He shows that hate speech and propaganda, when left unregulated, can weave animosity into the social fabric to such a great extent that it can cultivate an environment supportive of the commission of hate crimes. Tsesis uses historical examples to illuminate the central role racist speech played in encouraging attitudes that led to human rights violations against German Jews, Native Americans, and African Americans, and also discusses the dangers posed by hate speech spread on the Internet today. He also offers an examination of the psychology of scapegoating.
Destructive Messages argues that when hate speech is systematically developed over time it poses an even greater threat than when it creates an immediate clear and present danger. Tsesis offers concrete suggestions concerning how to reform current law in order to protect the rights of all citizens.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814784136
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	08/19/2002
Series:	Critical America , #27
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	246
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Alexander Tsesis is Assistant Professor at at the Loyola University School of Law, Chicago.

Table of Contents

I Historical Lessons about the Dangers of Hate Speech

2 The Heart of German Anti-Semitism 

3 Endearing Racism in American Minds

4 The Politics of Savagery and Indian Removal

5 A Glance at Contemporary Hate Speech

Mauritanian Slavery

Bigotry in Contemporary United States Society

II Hate Propaganda’s Socially Destructive Force

6 The Social Psychology of Scapegoating

7 Spreading Group Hatred

III Legal Response to Hate Speech

8 United States Jurisprudence

The Roots of First Amendment Jurisprudence

Contemporary Formulations of First Amendment Doctrine

9 Reconsidering Supreme Court Precedents

“Marketplace of Ideas” Doctrine

Imminent Threat of Harm

Content Regulations

10 Out of the Quagmire

The Reciprocal Duty of Humanity

Equality of Right

11 Destructive Messages’ Threat to Justice and Equality

12 But Will It Work? Regulation of Hate Propaganda in Other Countries

13 Regulating Hate Speech

Developing a Policy Dealing with Hate Speech

Five Policy Considerations

Delimiting Restrictions on Hate Speech

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Tsesis lays out theoretical foundations that he argues should be intrinsic to a representative democracy . . . an important contribution to the literature about civil liberties and human rights."

-Choice,

"The genuine accomplishment of Tsesis's book...is to focus the hate speech debate on explicitly normative issues."

-Michigan Law Review ,

"[A] comprehensive and brilliant book from both a historical and analytical perspective. Drawing from the lessons of history, Alexander Tsesis shows persuasively the relevance of the Thirteenth Amendment to a wide range of the social and economic issues currently facing America, and he offers highly creative arguments that support the use of congressional power under the Thirteenth Amendment as a potent and effective means of meeting and resolving these issues."

-G. Sidney Buchanan,Baker & Botts Chaired Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center

"Tsesis vigorously presents a set of arguments that are rarely found in the conventional legal literature. . . . An interesting and challenging book."

-Sanford V. Levinson, W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood, Jr. ,Centennial Chair in Law and Professor of Government, University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Editorial Reviews

""Tsesis vigorously presents a set of arguments that are rarely found in the conventional legal literature. . . . An interesting and challenging book."

Sanford V. Levinson

""[A] comprehensive and brilliant book from both a historical and analytical perspective. Drawing from the lessons of history, Alexander Tsesis shows persuasively the relevance of the Thirteenth Amendment to a wide range of the social and economic issues currently facing America, and he offers highly creative arguments that support the use of congressional power under the Thirteenth Amendment as a potent and effective means of meeting and resolving these issues."

G. Sidney Buchanan

""The genuine accomplishment of Tsesis's book...is to focus the hate speech debate on explicitly normative issues.""

Michigan Law Review

""Tsesis lays out theoretical foundations that he argues should be intrinsic to a representative democracy . . . an important contribution to the literature about civil liberties and human rights.""

Choice

"[A] comprehensive and brilliant book from both a historical and analytical perspective. Drawing from the lessons of history, Alexander Tsesis shows persuasively the relevance of the Thirteenth Amendment to a wide range of the social and economic issues currently facing America, and he offers highly creative arguments that support the use of congressional power under the Thirteenth Amendment as a potent and effective means of meeting and resolving these issues."

-G. Sidney Buchanan,Baker & Botts Chaired Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center

"The genuine accomplishment of Tsesis's book...is to focus the hate speech debate on explicitly normative issues."

- Michigan Law Review

From the Publisher