Since the presidential election, the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes reportedly continue to increase nationally and here in Connecticut.

Passed by Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, and ratified on Dec. 15, 1791, the founding fathers delivered the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution and titled them, the Bill of Rights. Amendment 1 reads:

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 grieveances.

According to constitutioncenter.org, unfortunately, hate speech is protected by the First Amendment, but does that make it right?

According to an article in the News Times, the Anti-Defamation League reports that the incidents of anti-semitism have more than doubled from last year.

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Here's a thought, instead of blurting out an anti-semitic remark, how about learning some basic knowledge about Judaism? Instead of using a racial slur in a conversation, why not sit down with an African-American and acquire some basic knowledge about their ancestry and what it's like growing up black?

Various Connecticut towns have set up community groups and anti-hate campaigns. Ridgefield and New Milford have held community gatherings following incidents of racist graffiti. Is hating a group of people because they don't believe in what you believe going to make our world a better place to live? Here's some food for thought from medium.com:

Knowledge leads to understanding.

Understanding leads to empathy.

Empathy leads to compassion.

Hate thrives in a vacuum.

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