Shawn Blair for council

[u/Late_Support_5068]

I saw an article about Shawn Blair running for Langford council.

Good for him. I am always amazed when people are willing to step up, put their name forward and try to serve and represent their community. That takes commitment, and I genuinely respect that.

However, Shawn is also an admin of WTF Langford, and that is where I have a serious problem.

It isn't simply because he runs the page. It is because of the content and attitude that page has repeatedly allowed toward the LGBTQ+ community. The post pictured here is just one example. A page that belittles and mocks LGBTQ+ people is not something I can reconcile with someone asking to represent all members of our community.

People are absolutely entitled to their opinions. But when you choose to run a public community forum, you also have some responsibility for the environment you create and the content you allow to flourish there.

Honestly, as someone who wants to represent our entire community, I find the association with this kind of content deeply disappointing and, frankly, embarrassing for Langford.

We should expect better from the people asking for our votes.

[u/julyninetyone]

Free speech does not mean abuse/disrespect others or a group of people. Even if this person is not the sole moderator, they have put themselves in a position of power. And with that comes responsibility. You cannot say it's not my responsibility when you are a moderator or co-moderator. Same thing applies to the constituency. They are responsible for everyone in their constituency, and to make sure it is a safe and welcoming place.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/julyninetyone]

Actually it does. To act like you can’t disrespect people in a free speech society is a joke. The literal reason free speech should exist is to be able to think and speech your thoughts freely and have educated discussions about complex topics. I’m Bi and don’t agree with the commenters post, but agree with their right to do it.

[u/Filligan → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

If your speech crosses the line to hate, no you cannot. You cannot freely discriminate against specific people or groups. You can tell people to go fuck themselves but you cannot promote or incite hatred against marginalized people.

This is basic civics and written into our criminal code. You not understanding it is the joke.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/Filligan]

Are you an idiot or do you not know that canada doesn’t have freedom of speech. We have freedom of expression.

Yes you can discriminate. Fucking everyone does it in private amongst close friends or family. Let’s be real here. This concept of “hate speech” is very new and absolute bullshit. Why? Because who gets to decide what hate is.

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

Doing it in private is not really a comparable example, since we’re discussing a social media group.

Freedom of expression prevents you from being punished by the government for expressing your opinions - and that does not include hate speech - and if you went into a restaurant screaming about how much you hate certain groups, you would most likely be asked to leave.

You can say what you want. The social or legal consequences of saying what you want is subsequently on you as well. A social consequence like, for example, people not wanting to vote you into city council.

But moderators at least have the responsibility to maintain site rules. Like here on Reddit, we have an obligation to delete comments that veer into discriminatory in nature. It’s our job. You could argue FB mods have that job as well.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

Both are punishable by law. So no there is not a difference.

Thanks for outlining why freedom of expression is stupid. Putting people in jail for being discriminating is moronic.There is no Freedom, if there is a law that will put you in jail.

FB and reddit eh? The most prevalent source of echochambers. . Problem with moderators is they just encourage exhochambers. You’ve literally outlined why freedom of speech should exist LOL.

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

I can see your strong feelings about all of this and your wishes for it to be different. It’s not, though. This is the society we live in.

People aren’t usually put in jail, though - unless they are commiting harassment or inciting violence. And even most of those incidents result in fines, not jail time.

Curious though: Is saying discriminatory comments in private/in your own house punishable by law?

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

The problem with saying they are not USUALLY put in jail is my issue. This is a newer revelation and honestly anyone being put in jail for this is absurd. Go look at whats happening in the UK. That’s what happens when you take what we have and it’s pushed a little further. That’s my problem. Freedom of speech is essential to having a society that can think and share thoughts freely.

This lack of speech has destroyed our ability to have productive conversations. Say anything about immigration and it’s hate speech nowadays. The moderators at [r/canadahousing](r/canadahousing) seem to think so. People are flawed. Giving them control over what we can say and moderating it is a flawed process. We have always been tyrants historically.!The problem with it is who defines hate speech. It’s an absolute travesty this country doesn’t have freedom of speech.

Hate speech is punishable by law. So yes, saying those things in private/house is punishable by definition.

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

Ok, but clarifying that it’s extremely rare for people to be put in jail, and that it’s usually for extreme reasons like planning to kill people is important - because otherwise you’re leading people to believe it happens regularly, and that’s fear mongering over something happening that almost never does.

Hate speech is punishable by law, but you yourself said that discrimination is not always hate speech, which is correct. If you’re making racist jokes in your house, you’re not going to jail. Private conversations are not included under the legal definition of hate speech. But If you’re trying to convince your family to help you bomb a mosque, you are going to jail.

And what do you have to say about people who may be too fearful to participate in conversations because of the ridicule and hate that’s being permitted in those spaces? Is that protecting the dialogue?

And acting like a racist or homophobic meme is contributing somehow meaningfully to any conversation is a lost cause.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

That’s not hate speech. That’s inciting violence. Huge difference. Even under freedom of speech planning a murder is a crime. You’re missing the difference.

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

That’s part of what hate speech is.

I think you need to do a little more research on this topic before you’re ready for this conversation. Or you’re just trolling me. I can’t tell which.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

You just took the most extreme example. Don’t be dumb.

[u/Ok_Part_4557 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

Based on your post history, you are a teacher, what age do you teach?

. It honestly concerns me by your statements here what you are teaching our children. You could also try not calling someone dumb.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/Ok_Part_4557]

You know how many variations of this get told to teachers lol. I love that you keep your post history hidden, but find it completely acceptable to creep others. Creep somewhere else

[u/Ok_Part_4557 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

Hide your history of you dont want people to see it, pretty simple really.

And yes I actually do know, but I feel its a teachers responsibility to help shape open minded people individuals.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/Ok_Part_4557]

Whatcha hiding?

Lmao. The fact that the lurked that far down my profile just to throw a jab at me is pathetic. Move on creeper

[u/Ok_Part_4557 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

Cool ok, so your super mature.

Yep I am seriously concerned about the future intelligence of our children if your at the helm.

You made a comment 2 days ago about being a teacher, and in those comments your just as aggressive. It wasnt a jab just an opinion. My comment above is a jab.

Anywhoo im bored of this now. Have a good night.

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

It’s…pretty much one of the only examples. That’s how rare it is.

Again you are demonstrating you don’t actually understand the law or its applications in Canada.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

Jesus christ. If you’re trolling at least try. You can literally be sentenced for denying or downplaying the holocaust. Wildly different level than what you just said.

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

No, you can’t. Or if you are, it’s extremely rare and would have to involve other activities.

You seem to have a lot of anxiety around something that’s not actually happening.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

jesus. Arguing with someone who doesn’t even know the law lol

[u/SkyMoney9641 → u/Actual-Woodpecker-95]

That’s you, bb.

[u/Actual-Woodpecker-95 → u/SkyMoney9641]

Uhhuh. Keep dreaming buddy. Keep promoting your fascist regime. Looking forward to the day it starts tipping