Needing help for a speech. - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Mr.Pushover · 16th Mar 2011, 03:34 PM

Okay, guys I need help.

In my English class, we are writing a persuasive speech and my topic is "1st Amendment Rights" But honestly, it's about how the first amendment can be abused. My main focus is the Westboro Baptist Church and how they keep winning their cases. I'm also including a little bit about the Nazi Party.

My objective is to persuade the class that the WBC is crossing the lines with their first amendment rights, and are (for lack of a better word) intruding on people's civil rights. Considering they have caused emotional distress to countless people, you'd think they'd be off the streets. Anyways, I'm trying to tell the audience that there is a point where First amendment rights meets hate speech, and the WBC is my example, as well as the Nazi Party (the modern day one).

Problem is, I'm not very good at arguments, and I want to ask for your help to build up a good argument against the WBC and the abuse of the First amendment.

Any help is appreciated, thankkss!!

Sanssouci · 16th Mar 2011, 04:44 PM

There was a quote in my undergrad dissertation that got the point across well. I was trying to find a middle-ground between free speech and college campus regulation, I was actually more sympathetic to the free-speech argument but came to the conclusion that it crosses the line when it becomes dehumanising. That's my dissertation in a nutshell! , let me go dig it out!

Quote:

“Racist speech is rarely a mistake, rarely something that could be corrected or countered by discussion. What would be the answer to “N***** [redacted], go back to Africa. You don’t belong at the University”? “Sir, you misconceive the situation. Prevailing ethics and constitutional interpretation hold that I, an African American, am an individual of
equal dignity and entitled to attend this university in the same manner as
others. Now that I have informed you of this, I am sure you will modify your remarks in the future”?

Delgado & Yun, "Pressure Valves and Bloodied Chickens: An Analysis of Paternalistic Objections to Hate Speech Regulation", California Law Review.

Not directly relevant, but I'm sure you could apply the same principles. Hope that gives you an idea.

Mr.Pushover · 16th Mar 2011, 06:33 PM

^Yeah, the only problem with that is translating it into a 15 year old's vocabulary xD

**lostinthought9** · 16th Mar 2011, 08:06 PM

Well, the main argument against the WBC's so called "right to free speech" methods is the one where the government can implement restrictions on free speech if the act creates a clear and present danger.

You can't shout "bomb!" on an airplane, or "fire!" in a crowded movie theatre. Obviously those words would create a dangerous situation in which people could get seriously hurt or die. Just like you cannot (or shouldn't) be able to protest at a funeral. Emotions are already running high, and carrying signs that "Thank God" for the death of a loved one is sure to incite some type of conflict. I'm honestly surprised nothing severe has happened yet.

You could probably get more arguments if you searched the news forum on here about WBC threads, especially in their Supreme Court cases. Or, at least get a better understanding of the situation.

MyDecember · 16th Mar 2011, 09:32 PM

IMO: Whenever I have to write something like this I first take the side of the position I'm arguing against. It's easy to argue against but its hard to really argue for. If you can argue for the position you do not support, then you can really start a conversation on the 1st amendment within yourself. Assume they are right and try to disprove it one by one. When people argue against something they often do not bother to know what they are truly arguing against. This causes tangents and rants. Research helps but Uunless you can constructively analyze it in your own terms and relevance it's just another rant.

Aya McCabre · 17th Mar 2011, 03:17 PM

Make sure you can back up everything you say so your facts can't be disputed.

Most of what people respond to not what you say but how you say it, so spend some time practicing it when you've got it figured out. Often if you're confident and well presented people won't notice if you mess up.

16th Mar 2011, 03:34 PM	#1
Mr.Pushover Thinks too much Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Dude who likes dudes. Out Status: Out as gay to some Location: Maryland Age: 16 Posts: 535 Join Date: Nov 2010	Needing help for a speech. Okay, guys I need help. In my English class, we are writing a persuasive speech and my topic is "1st Amendment Rights" But honestly, it's about how the first amendment can be abused. My main focus is the Westboro Baptist Church and how they keep winning their cases. I'm also including a little bit about the Nazi Party. My objective is to persuade the class that the WBC is crossing the lines with their first amendment rights, and are (for lack of a better word) intruding on people's civil rights. Considering they have caused emotional distress to countless people, you'd think they'd be off the streets. Anyways, I'm trying to tell the audience that there is a point where First amendment rights meets hate speech, and the WBC is my example, as well as the Nazi Party (the modern day one). Problem is, I'm not very good at arguments, and I want to ask for your help to build up a good argument against the WBC and the abuse of the First amendment. Any help is appreciated, thankkss!!

16th Mar 2011, 06:33 PM	#3
Mr.Pushover Thinks too much Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Dude who likes dudes. Out Status: Out as gay to some Location: Maryland Age: 16 Posts: 535 Join Date: Nov 2010	Re: Needing help for a speech. ^Yeah, the only problem with that is translating it into a 15 year old's vocabulary xD

16th Mar 2011, 08:06 PM	#4
lostinthought9 EC's Biggest Xena Fan EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: A few people Location: Louisiana Age: 21 Posts: 2,059 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Needing help for a speech. Well, the main argument against the WBC's so called "right to free speech" methods is the one where the government can implement restrictions on free speech if the act creates a clear and present danger. You can't shout "bomb!" on an airplane, or "fire!" in a crowded movie theatre. Obviously those words would create a dangerous situation in which people could get seriously hurt or die. Just like you cannot (or shouldn't) be able to protest at a funeral. Emotions are already running high, and carrying signs that "Thank God" for the death of a loved one is sure to incite some type of conflict. I'm honestly surprised nothing severe has happened yet. You could probably get more arguments if you searched the news forum on here about WBC threads, especially in their Supreme Court cases. Or, at least get a better understanding of the situation. __________________ Last edited by lostinthought9; 16th Mar 2011 at 08:11 PM..

16th Mar 2011, 09:32 PM	#5
MyDecember I pause your thread! Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: All but family Location: Florida Age: 23 Posts: 365 Join Date: Jan 2011	Re: Needing help for a speech. IMO: Whenever I have to write something like this I first take the side of the position I'm arguing against. It's easy to argue against but its hard to really argue for. If you can argue for the position you do not support, then you can really start a conversation on the 1st amendment within yourself. Assume they are right and try to disprove it one by one. When people argue against something they often do not bother to know what they are truly arguing against. This causes tangents and rants. Research helps but Uunless you can constructively analyze it in your own terms and relevance it's just another rant. __________________ This is my simple religion: There is no need for temples, there is no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is the temple;the philosophy is loving kindness and compassion --The XIVth Dalai Lama

17th Mar 2011, 03:17 PM	#6
Aya McCabre Beware of the Metaphor Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Dunedin, New Zealand Age: 21 Posts: 613 Join Date: Feb 2011	Re: Needing help for a speech. Make sure you can back up everything you say so your facts can't be disputed. Most of what people respond to not what you say but how you say it, so spend some time practicing it when you've got it figured out. Often if you're confident and well presented people won't notice if you mess up. __________________ Time is on my side she said. He may be on your side I said, but it makes no difference in the end, He's coming after you my friend........