Hate speech

Hate speech is communicating in a way that is meant to offend and hurt somebody. It is usually based on a factor such as somebody's race, gender, ethnic group, orientation, identity, disability or religion. Some places have laws that make it illegal to use hate speech. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all should be protected from hate speech. Countries such as Canada, France and Germany have stricter laws against hate speech than the United States, where hate speech is usually legal because its Constitution says that people have freedom of speech.