How Free is Free Speech

The right to free speech in the United States is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The concept of free speech may appear simple on its face, but hate speech complicates it. While some argue that the ability to voice any opinion under any circumstances is a fundamental right in America, others believe that hate speech--defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a particular group, especially on the basis of race, religion, or sexual orientation"-endangers other fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as freedom of religion.