Every time some bigoted asshole says something sexist, homophobic, racist or otherwise offensive and socially unacceptable the very next thing out of their mouth when they get called out is "freedom of speech! I can say what I want!"
I mean, yeah, ok.. legally you can say whatever you want (with the exception of threats and incitement of violence) but freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequence.
Literally, all it means is that the government can't put you in jail or fine you for what you say (unless, as noted above, it is threatening or inciting violence).
Freedom of speech does NOT mean you can just go around saying whatever you want, whenever you want, where ever you want and to whomever you want without facing consequences. Everything you say and do will always have social, financial or other consequences. That's a fact of life and one that has nothing to do with "freedom of speech".
When you say something offensive, private citizens and organizations are well within their rights to shut you down, tell you off, kick you off their property, or bestow any other social consequence they deem fitting in response to your words and your behaviour. None of those things are a violation of your freedom of speech.
You can say what you want. I can call you an ass hole for it. That's how this whole freedom of speech thing works.
You can be a racist, sexist, homophobic piece of human garbage all you want, but I can tell you you're not welcome on my property or that your words aren't welcome on my social media page and delete them. That's my right.
So next time some private citizen calls you out and shuts you down, don't respond with any of that "freedom of speech" nonsense. Accept that they're within their rights and either debate the merits of your opinions or, a better option, shut the fuck up and walk away, because unless someone is dragging your ass to a jail cell for what you say, no one is violating your fucking right to free speech.
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