Hate speech” doesn’t exist as a coherent legal or philosophical category. It’s a subjective label used to delegitimize speech someone finds offensive, uncomfortable, or dangerous. But offense is not harm, and in a free society, truth is not determined by emotional response.

Every regime that’s suppressed speech did so in the name of protecting people. Stalin said it. Mao said it. Every authoritarian says it. The road to tyranny is always paved with good intentions.

In a free society, the answer to speech you hate is more speech not censorship.