**TL;DR -- Hate speech puts vulnerable groups at risk, and should be considered a criminal act.** Any speech that intends to cause harm to a person or group of people should be outlawed. Period. **"But it's just words."** Honey, words have *power*, and the right person with the right amount of charisma and influence can incite violence against others without having ever raised a fist themselves. All they have to do is rile someone (or many someones) up, and they'll commit violent acts for them. **"But what about my freedom of speech!!??!"** Forget freedom of speech. A person loses that right the moment they open their mouth to cause harm to another individual. Just like a drunk driver losing their license to drive, a hate-spewer loses their license to say whatever they want when their hate speech puts others in danger.

Who determines what is and isn't hate speech? Free speech means all speech is free, not just what some people deem to be "politically correct". People say tons of awful things, but ultimately its our choice whether or not we listen to them. Don't say "inciting panic or violence" either, that is incitement, not speech, and there are objective distinctions. It's important to say what you feel is the truth at all times, or at least to not lie, because lying might not get you what you really need in your life. It will get you what you want, but you live your life as a slave to others. Speaking the truth is dangerous, and has always been dangerous, but the risk carried by lying is far greater.

By nature, hate speech is not protected under the first amendment due to legal precedent. However, what is labeled as hate speech needs to have a narrow and exact definition otherwise we run the risk of over tracking and over censoring society.