Hate in the classroom: Free expression, Holocaust denial, and liberal education

Cohen?Almagor, Raphael

Abstract

This article is concerned with a specific type of hate speech: Holocaust denial. It is concerned with the expression of this idea by educators. Should we allow Holocaust deniers to teach in schools? This article attempts to answer this question through a close look at the Canadian experience. First, I will establish that Holocaust denial is a form of hate speech. Next, I will lay down the main premises of the argument and make some constructive distinctions that will guide our treatment of teachers who are Holocaust deniers. Finally, I will probe three cases - James Keegstra, Malcolm Ross, and Paul Fromm - and argue that hatemongers cannot assume the role of educators. Since democracy stands in principle for free interchange, for social continuity, it must develop a theory of knowledge which sees in knowledge the method by which one experience is made available in giving direction and meaning to another. ( John Dewey,

Citation

Cohen‐Almagor, R. (2008). Hate in the classroom: Free expression, Holocaust denial, and liberal education. American Journal of Education, 114(2), 215-241. https://doi.org/10.1086/524316

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2007
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: American journal of education
• Print ISSN: 0195-6744
• Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 114
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 215-241
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/524316
• Keywords: Hate speech; Holocaust denial; Academic ethics; Education; Canada; James Keegstra; Malcolm Ross; Paul Fromm; Hatemongers as educators
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/461200
• Publisher URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/524316
• Additional Information: Copy of article first published in American journal of education, 2008, v.114, issue 2
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014