The "problem" with first amendment theory
Earlier today a user, upset at a perceived homophobic slur, questioned whether the slurring armchairgm member should be banned. Instead of engaging in the details of the controversy, I merely suggested that first amendment theory is based on the concept of the marketplace of ideas. That repugnant ideas will die their own death because the community will not embrace them. Thus, censorship is not needed. Counter speech with speech and the community will filter out the good from the bad.
The problem with that theory is that it is dependent on the community. Thus, even though we would like racist comments to fail in the marketplace of ideas, certainly it thrives in certain submarkets. In a community of bigots, notions of racial tolerance are doomed competing against notions of racial dominance.
After I posted this, the admin rightfully said that he had decided that the slurring user should not be banned. I commended him on his mature decision even as a derided him for his original thoughts of censorship.
Contrary to what I thought would happen, this community strongly spoke its opinion in favor of gay bashing. I am not shocked as much as I am disappointed. I have faith in people. I have faith in people to do the right thing, and I have faith in people to simply respect their fellow citizens.
As many of you know, I am an original armchairgm user as I went to school with 3 of the 4 founders. As this site was created I told them that they had to make this different from a typical message board with the poorly thought out ramblings, the inane trolls, and the juvenile slurs that are typically found on such sites.
To Armchairgm's credit, the founders have created a site that just keeps getting better. The work of so many of the writers is top notch, intelligent take on all sorts of sports. I love this site because I love to read intelligent takes on sports. I love the witty banter. I love the team rivalry. I love accusing the Patriots of cheating, and I love getting the broom gift after the Phils sweep the Mets (again).
Today though, I am ashamed to be a member of this community. Someone coming to the site for the first time today would be inundated with gay slurs and people defending them. They would see a site where those who speak out against bigotry and censorship get lambasted.
For those of you who know who Emile Zola is, today, to the armchairgm community I say this.
J'Accuse.
