Hate Speech Is Awful, But It Should Be Allowed

1. Freedom of speech is a BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

As long as it's not inciting real world violence and as long as it's not defamatory, then people should really be able to say whatever they want. And that includes "hate speech" and offensive speech. 

 

2. Censoring 'hate speech' inevitably leads to the censorship of political opinions and language. 

A disturbing trend has arisen where people have silenced others for merely talking about immigration issues, criticising religion or making other valid commentary on issues... all being mislabelled as hate speech by those too stupid to realise what racism or sexism or homophobia or (insert term here)-phobia actually is. If things are censored under "hate speech", then inevitably real criticisms and commentary that isn't hateful will unfortunately be mislabelled as this and censored too, which is completely immoral.

3. It's better to be able to see how much of society has truly hateful attitudes rather than bottle up the issue and not be able to know. It's better to be open about it.

 
If someone wants to say that "all n*****s are stupid", then it's an extremely dumb opinion, but it is their opinion. Would you wish that such opinions where banned and that haters would secretly harbour their hate rather than be open about it? I think it's best to let the haters make fools out of themselves and receive the ridicule they deserve than to silence them and allow them to continue harbouring such idiotic hatred. 
If we keep them silent, then we will not know the extent of the public that hold such hateful beliefs and won't be able to effectively persuade them from their views. Because of this hateful silent majorities can arise and eventually vote away the freedoms of those they hate in democracies. It is therefore dangerous to force them to withhold their views.

Hiding away hate speech and brushing under the proverbial rug doesn't solve the issue. 
It's better than such views are out in the open and dealt with rather than avoided until they become a problem.

4. Free speech can be fought with free speech. A dialogue is healthier than an echo chamber. 

For example, I don't think that offensive, even immoral views should be censored. Such people create an important dialogue and it's better to be able to see both sides of an argument than just one side.

Homophobic/sexist/racist/-phobic views should be allowed because that way those potentially harmful views can be exposed for how flawed they are, and they can be debunked out in the open for people to see. This is what free speech is about... letting all sides voice their opinions.

5. Censorship is often the tool of those in the wrong. 

We can't allow people with any degree of power to censor those who criticise or even ridicule them or their ideas, otherwise we cannot learn and grow as a society or be free to speak our minds. Those that often don't want their ideas challenged are those who deep down know people will rebel against them. They use fear tactics and punishments to keep their idea of order... why? Because ultimately they are in the wrong.