SHOCKING: 4 in 5 Americans think ‘words can be violence’

• In a new FIRE poll, 4 in 5 Americans (80%) agree at least slightly with the idea that “words can be violence.” 
• Democrats and women were most likely to agree words are violence, and Republicans and men were least likely to agree.
• Only slightly more than a third of Americans (37%) think citizens should have the right to use profanity when speaking to elected officials.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 31, 2024 — In a disturbing new finding from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, 4 in 5 Americans agree to at least some degree with the idea that “words can be violence.”

In the latest edition of the quarterly National Speech Index, FIRE asked 1,000 Americans, “How much, if at all, does the following statement describe your thoughts: ‘Words can be violence.’”

• Nearly half of Americans said that statement describes their thoughts either “mostly” (23%) or “completely” (22%).
• Around a quarter responded that it describes their thoughts “somewhat” (22%).
• Another 12% responded that it matches their thoughts “slightly.”
• Only a fifth (20%) responded that the statement “does not describe my thoughts at all.” 

“Equating words with violence trivializes actual physical harm, shuts down conversations, and even encourages real violence by justifying the use of force against offensive speech,” said FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff. “Free speech isn't violence, it's the best alternative to violence ever invented.”

Republicans, independents, and men were more likely to entirely reject the idea that “words can be violence,” with 27% of men, 28% of independents, and 27% of Republicans saying it does not describe their thoughts at all, compared to only 14% of women and 11% of Democrats.

Gen-Zers were also more likely to say that words are violence, with only 12% of 18-24-year-olds rejecting the idea entirely. But seniors aren’t far behind, with 16% of those older than 65 saying it doesn’t describe their thoughts at all. Gen X is the most speech-supportive age group, with 32% of those between the ages of 45 and 52 completely rejecting the idea that words can be violence.

FIRE also asked respondents whether they believe American citizens should have the right to engage in five First Amendment-protected activities that have been controversial. Four of the questions were inspired by FIRE’s First Amendment litigation, and one was inspired by a new unconstitutional California law banning “deceptive” political videos.

• 87% said American citizens definitely or probably should have the right to speak freely during a public comment session, and only 8% said they definitely or probably should not.
• 73% said American citizens definitely or probably should have the right to criticize a public official during a council meeting, and 18% said they definitely or probably should not.
• 55% said American citizens definitely or probably should have the right to post a parody video mocking a candidate for public office, and 36% said they definitely or probably should not.
• 48% said American citizens definitely or probably should have the right to take a ballot selfie, and 34% said they definitely or probably should not.
• Only 37% said American citizens definitely or probably should have the right to use profanity when speaking with elected officials, and a majority, 54%, said they definitely or probably should not.

“You absolutely have the First Amendment right to use profanity when speaking to politicians,” said FIRE Chief Research Advisor Sean Stevens. “Some would say they’re the ones who deserve it most.”

The National Speech Index is a quarterly poll designed by FIRE and conducted by the Dartmouth Polarization Research Lab to capture Americans’ views on freedom of speech and the First Amendment. In addition to five rotating, topical questions, FIRE also asks five fixed questions designed to track how Americans’ views on free speech change over time.

With the October release, FIRE has compiled one year’s worth of data. For the most part, responses remained steady with only slight fluctuations:

• Between 63% and 69% responded in each survey that free speech in America is headed in the wrong direction.
• Between 51% and 56% agreed at least slightly with the idea that “the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees.”
• Between 38% and 42% said they are at least somewhat concerned about losing their job because someone complained about their speech.
• Between 56% and 62% said they had censored themselves at least occasionally in the past month.

The October 2024 National Speech Index was conducted October 4-11 and polled 1,000 YouGov panelists with a margin of error of 3%.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

The Polarization Research Lab (PRL) is a nonpartisan collaboration between faculty at Dartmouth College, Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania. Its mission is to monitor and understand the causes and consequences of partisan animosity, support for democratic norm violations, and support for partisan violence in the American Public. With open and transparent data, it provides an objective assessment of the health of American democracy.

CONTACT:

Alex Griswold, Communications Campaign Manager, FIRE: 215-717-3473; media@thefire.org