New Law Passed to Keep J.K. Rowling Off Social Media
People across the spectrum of cultural politics have united on one topic: the things J.K. Rowling posts on social media make folks uncomfortable. Better to let Big Brother do the talking. All opinions should be prescribed by the state, and what better way to do that than to liberate citizens from the burdens of free speech entirely with Scotland’s brilliantly opaque Hate Crime and Public Order Act.
Designed to discourage harassment based on protected characteristics, the expansion of this law draws a hazy line around what can and cannot be considered a “non-crime hate act.”
Public response to this bold new edict has been robust, with over 7000 new hate crimes reported in just the first week since the law went into effect. The task will fall to Scotland police to investigate each and every one of these allegations. But worry not! This monumental workload increase will have no effect on the efficiency of law and order in Scotland going forward.
If there’s one thing that Big Brother wants you to take away from all this, it's that if you disagree with someone, that means you hate them. Disagreement is as bad as hate, and this law will go a long way toward lumping these two notions into one giant cloudy mess that is so unclear that people will have no choice but to stop talking altogether. Big Brother couldn't have planned it better himself!
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- Scotland’s Hate Crime law took effect earlier this month, making “stirring up hatred” against someone due to their age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- The law covers speech regarding race, ethnicity, and national origin, though the speech will only be considered criminal if it's “insulting” or has a likelihood of stirring up hatred.
- Supporters of the bill say it still safeguards free speech, arguing that defendants can avoid charges if their actions are found to have been “reasonable.”
- High profile Scotland-based public figures impacted by and critical of the new law include Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who was reported to the police for tweets related to gender identity, though Police Scotland said the author will not be charged.
Sources: New York Times, BBC, and The Herald Scotland.
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