Introduction
Communication is an integral part of our life. We live in a society and need to contact different people every day. The emotions which we express in the conversation with people play a crucial role in the mutual understanding and influence the effectiveness of communication to a large extent. Hate as a negative emotion represents the factor destroying effective communication and the ties between people.
The aim of this essay is to analyze the influence of hate speech, its roots, and consequences.
The Hate in Psychological Context
Hate is defined as the “intense hostility or the aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury” (“Hate” n.pag.).
Psychologists say that hate is a derivative of pride or guilt (“Emotions” n.pag.). The former is the emotion directed to other people, whereas the later is the feeling which we have in relation to ourselves (“Emotions” n.pag.). Paranoia is close to hate, but it is far more intensive than the hate and reflects a pathological stance of mentality. However, the scholars argue that hate is a feeling supporting clear thinking, cools the minds, and strengthens the will (“Emotions” n,page.).
“There are two factors at the root of hatred: the devaluation of the victim and the ideology of the hater” (Navarro et al. 11). Hate is a strong negative feeling which can be the result of the unethical behavior, the lack of education, and the errors in thinking. Undoubtedly, the control over yourself is the primary tool of avoiding negative feelings but it is not the only one. The feeling of anger and hate is very often the quality of the people who have inner problems. Sometimes it is the question of the self-confidence or the morality.
Nevertheless, hate is one of the important aspects of people communication as it affects it negatively. Therefore, we need to know how to turn the negative feelings into the positive ones not allowing them destroying our life.
Hate Speech and Violence
“Hate speech – the advocacy of hatred based on nationality, race or religion – occupies an exceptional position in international law” (“Hate Speech” n.pag.). First of all, hate speech is contrary to ethical behavior. Secondly, it provokes conflicts. The international law states that all people have equal rights regardless of race, sex, or social status. That is why hate speech violates the norms of international law.
The hate speech is always characterized by the expression of anger, envy, and other negative emotions. It sharpens the conflict situation and if one of the parties losses control, these emotions can lead to violence and crime.
“Violence is an extreme form of aggression, such as assault, rape or murder” (“Violence” n.pag.). Not always hate speech can lead to violence. However, taking into account the emotional overstrain of the situation which the hate speech maintains, the physical violence often results from it.
Media can also provoke violence. Very often the emotional speech of the journalists can be described as a hate speech. Certainly, the same can be said about politicians and social activists who often make public appearances and strive to persuade the public in their views. History has a lot of examples of violent crimes resulted from hate speech. World War II is one of them as the hate speech of Adolf Hitler influenced the minds of the Germans politicians and militaries.
In the context of law, there is a controversy between the right to freedom of expression and the hate speech which is often based on race, national or gender discrimination.
That is why the international law prescribes a number of conditions of the hate speech laws to be respected: no one should be penalized for statements that are true and for the dissemination of the hate speech if it has not been shown that it was proclaimed with the intention of discrimination, hostility, or violence; no one should be subject to prior censorship and some other provisions (“Hate Speech” n.pag.).
Hate Speech Leads to One Side of an Argument which Leads to Misleading Others
Hate speech is always connected with the saying of the offensive words. It is based on the negative emotions and a person who expresses the hate in his speech is rarely able to make the right decision. This is because they have only their arguments on their mind, and their emotions do not allow them accepting the alternative views.
Therefore, hate speech usually leads to one side of an argument. In addition, the hate speech puts pressure on others and if the counterparties in the conflict are not emotionally stable and cannot turn the situation in their favor, the hate speech can result into the misleading of others.
Conclusion
In order to sum up all the above mentioned, it should be said that hate is a negative emotion which is based on pride or guilt. However, the aggression and anger which are connected with hate can lead to violence. The hate speech can also result in physical violence and crimes. The international law has certain provisions which are aimed at preventing the hate speech.
Works Cited
“Emotions” n.d. Article19.org.
“Hate” n.d. Merriam-Webster.com.
“Hate Speeh” n.d. Psychologistworld.com. Web.
Navarro, Jose I., Marchena, Esperanza and Inmaculada Menacho. “The Psychology of Hatred.” The Open Criminology Journal 6 (2013): 10-17. Print.
“Violence” n.d. Apa.org. Web.