Misogynistic Hate Speech and its Chilling Effect on Women's Free Expression during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Campaign

Authors

Caitlin R. Carlson, Seattle UniversityFollow

Abstract

This essay argues that the proliferation of misogynistic hate speech during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign had a dangerous chilling effect on women’s free expression. The gendered slurs aimed at women candidates and journalists, both online and in-person, created a hostile political environment, which made it more difficult for women to fully participate in the process of Democratic self-governance. To address this issue, I recommend allocating state and federal tax dollars to counter speech efforts, and call for social media organizations, such as Facebook and Twitter, to reevaluate their hate speech and harassment policies.

Recommended Citation

Carlson, Caitlin R. (2019) "Misogynistic Hate Speech and its Chilling Effect on Women's Free Expression during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Campaign," Journal of Hate Studies: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 6.
DOI: 10.33972/jhs.126
Available at: https://repository.gonzaga.edu/jhs/vol14/iss1/6

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.