For constitutionalists, regulation of hate speech violates the First Amendment and damages a free society. Waldron rejects this view, and makes the case that hate speech should be regulated as part of a commitment to human dignity and to inclusion and respect for members of vulnerable minorities.

Approaching hate speech -- Anthony Lewis's freedom for the thought that we hate -- Why call hate speech group libel? -- The appearance of hate -- Protecting dignity or protection from offense? -- C. Edwin Baker and the autonomy argument -- Ronald Dworkin and the legitimacy argument -- Toleration and calumny.