Toni Ortiz

Sociology 3

     The topic of uncivil discourse leaves people wondering if it is harmful or completely harmless and just a matter of free speech. Some may not realize the difference between uncivil discourse, otherwise known as threats, and free speech. Just because you have the freedom to say anything, it doesn't give you the right to do so in a way that can have serious consequences. In this case there is a right and wrong to humanity. It is common sense to know that if one makes a threatening statement, someone else is likely to take it very seriously and there may be harmful consequences. The words themselves don't seem harmful until someone takes it way out of context and believes that what the person says is actually true. Who knows? That person who made the threat may be serious about it. This is why it is important to recognize uncivil discourse.

     In a Fresno Bee article posted recently, a 15-year-old boy was threatening to shoot up his school, Mt. Whitney High. Although officers say that he did not own a weapon nor did he have access to one, the boy was arrested anyway and then taken to a juvenile detention. This proves how seriously threats are being taken. The boy was probably not going to do it, but the fact that he brought it up arose suspicion. No one is willing to take any chances to the consequences that may have progressed by his uncivil statement. Especially since this took place in a school setting, it is important that they keep the students safe from any harm. A threat is just the first step towards a criminal act.

     It shouldn't be questioned why uncivil discourse would be in any way safe and just a matter of free speech. Threats can be harmful. In the example I stated earlier about the boy threatening to shoot up the school, this not only made the boy in suspicion of being a criminal, but there could have been other consequences that may have involved the matter of his own life. There are many different ways to look at the situation, but none of them seems to be a positive outcome. I believe uncivil discourse is harmful and it should be taken seriously throughout the world. Uncivil discourse shouldn't be treated equally as freedom of speech.

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education/article148740299.html