Writing Prompt By Isobel Weiner 813

In the article, "Should a Hated Word Be Banned?" Rabbi Dov Lipman says that "every country has to establish certain value-based limits" to free speech. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support  your response.

In the article, "Should a hated Word be banned?" Rabbi Dov Lipman states, "every Country has to establish certain value-based limits" to free speech. I agree with his statement because the word 'Nazi' and other Holocaust related slurs have such notorious reputations. Adolf Hitler's horrible acts are entwined with these words, and therefore it is for the benefit of the majority that these words be banned.

Even today, the word 'Nazi' brings up traumatic memories for the survivors of the Holocaust, which sadly, is fewer than 200,000 people. Among these terrible memories is the fact that "By the end of World War II in 1945, 6 million Jews had been killed, along with many Gypsies, homosexuals, and others the Nazis considered undesirable."

Trivial use of the word 'Nazi' is another reason to ban the offensive word. According to the article, the term is mentioned casually, in conversations ranging from Israeli politics to normal teenage talks. "We, in our land, can find enough words and expressions and idioms to express our opinions," says Shimon Ohayon, one of the lawmakers sponsoring the bill." Also, teenage Israelis use the word 'shoah' - which means "catastrophe" and is normally involved with the Holocaust - to describe an ending relationship or a messy kitchen. The casual use of the word is offensive and wrong, and therefore the word should be banned. Finally, Rabbi Dov Lipman was called a Nazi multiple times during protests in 2011 while he was trying to protect schoolgirls from religious mobs who considered their dress immodest. This is a completely wrong use of the word and is very offensive.

Additionally, the idea of banning Holocaust slurs is not too far fetched. "At least half a dozen European nations, along with Brazil, already prohibit the use of Nazi symbols and flags. Even more countries consider it a crime (as Israel has since 1986) to deny that the Holocaust took place."

Some people might say that 'Nazi' shouldn't be banned because it would take away the right of free speech. However, this first amendment right has exceptions. Among these exceptions are threats, false statements, and speech that incites violence. The word 'Nazi' fits in to all of these categories.

In conclusion, the word 'Nazi' should be banned because it is associated with too many horrible memories to be discussed trivially. It is an offensive word when used incorrectly or in the wrong context, and overall is a word with so much hatred attached to it, that it would be more beneficial to ban it.