Reply #106: I've been an ACLU donor and supporter for years.

[ThomCat]

No, I don't propose banning things. But I do propose confronting bigotry wherever and whenever I see it. I don't believe in prior restraint, but I don't believe in looking the other way either.

People may have a right to think racist thoughts, but they don't have a right to take racist actions.

Yes, threatening someone is a crime, when the majority can be bothered to accept that something is a threat.
Yes, attacking someone is a crime, when the majority doesn't say we deserved it.
Yes, damaging property is a crime, when the majority cares.

Of course, if you rely on prosecuting people then you're only going to get the very worst offenders. You're only going to get the people who were so blatant, so obvious, and so prosecutable that we can even get a case to court. That would give many, many people a free pass to get away with a lot of bigotry.

Relying on the law also doesn't help us when the bigotry isn't against the law. Employment discrimination, discrimination in housing, denial of many of the rights and privilages you take for granted, all of these aren't covered by the law at all. Law also doesn't address bullying, belittling, and creating hostile environments.

Relying on prosecution is not enough. Anyone who thinks it is enough clearly doesn't understand discrimination and prejudice. We need to change not just the laws, but also the culture. And you can't change the culture without challenging it.