• Hardeehar@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Of course they can. They might get in trouble or even fired. But they can still say whatever they want. They are also protesting on both sides of it, too, as is the right. The great American discourse.

    • ATiredPhilosopher
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      1 year ago

      That’s like saying you can murder people but there’s consequences - let that sink in bro

      • Hardeehar@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Nah. That’s a strawman argument there. Killing someone is not equivalent to saying something offensive or burning books.

        • ATiredPhilosopher
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          1 year ago

          You’ve missed the point - I am pointing out that being forced to hide who you are at the risk of losing your job doesn’t actually give people a choice and saying that they do is disingenuous. Criminalising someone’s identity doesn’t give people freedom to be who they are which the supposed freedom you say exists.

          It’s just leaning into semantics while forgetting there’s real life people at the end of it being told to hide their sexuality or gender because some chuds are up in their feelings because not everyone is straight or identifies with their gender at birth. Sounds free to me /s

          • Hardeehar@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            We’re comparing China and the USA. That’s the topic.

            There’s a reason Florida currently has thousands of vacancies in teaching positions and is one of the bottom 10 states in terms of education.

            Teachers are still free to do what they want and express their opinions (i.e., staying and risking prison, leaving the state, not working as a teacher, being politically active, teaching outside the classroom).

            Book burning and expressing your opinion are protected rights. It’s absolutely embarrassing that the law exists, but the law will be challenged in court.

            Discourse doesn’t happen in China. If the government wanted, you just go to prison and they throw the key away. That’s if you’re not killed outright. No discussion, no politics, nothing.

            The USA has freedom. China does not.

            EDIT - Ironically, even you and I discussing this online is forbidden in China. You’re not allowed to express your disgust with problems of the Chinese government or state.