I’m getting tired of claims that marches of Neo Nazis have to do with restrictions on their freedom of speech. They say that people who turn out to protest them are abridging their freedom of speech. They think that swift negative reactions to their manifestos are attacks on free speech. They believe others are restricting their freedom of speech by making them feel bad when they say things that other people find offensive. They claim that the absence of University professors who advocate their views shows that Universities are stifling free speech.

The first amendment of the Constitution says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Freedom of speech means that we have a right to state our beliefs without government interference. Freedom of speech does NOT mean:

-a right to be listened to
-a right to be invited to a University campus to present your ideas
-a right to feel good about yourself if you say things that those around you find odious
-a right to say offensive things without anyone telling you it’s offensive.
-a right to have no one get angry about what you say
-a right to not be told you’re wrong.
-a right to silence opposition to what you say
-a right to beat up people who disagree with you
-a right to keep your job if you are advocating against your company’s policies
-a right to keep your friends if you promote policies that harm them

Nobody on the left is advocating that Congress make it illegal for you to say what you think. Keep saying it all you want. Just remember that the first amendment gives you no right to a compliant audience.