I can solve this stupid debate now. I will do it with a series of questions. And if you answer them all correctly (like most)...then you should have absolutely NO more debates with anyone on this topic EVER unless they fall into the Antifa/KKK/Neonazi section.
So. My brilliant (not really) solution.
1) Do you believe in the views of Nazis/KKK? Do you subscribe to their beliefs? Racism and anti Semitism. Their beliefs. The things that separate them from other political groups.
Your answer should be no if you are a normal person.
Racism is not acceptable in this day and age. It may be legal and it may be their choice, but it should not be something that you as an individual accept. It should not be something you as normal person accept.
2) Do we have a right to say mean and hurtful things? Regardless of how racist and despicable they are. Do we have the right to hate speech?
Your answer should be yes as this is settled case law in America. Period. Here is an example:
https://www.thoughtco.com/hate-speech-cases-721215
I did not read the commentary. Just for the cases. I googled hate speech cases in America. This is NOT an opinion. It is a fact. You can have your own opinions. Not facts.
3) Do you believe that violence is an acceptable response to someone who is espousing hate speech and racial discrimination? Specifically, do you believe this is acceptable when they are remaining NON VIOLENT?
Your answer should be NO.
Violence is not an appropriate response to someone using their right to free speech. You can argue with them till the cows come home. You can try to educate or belittle them. You can counter protest their protest. Dealer's choice. There are plenty examples of the impact of non violence protests. But when you decide that violence is acceptable or tolerable, you are subscribing to a hateful ideology against free speech. And that puts you on the same level, if not lower, than those who were using a non violent method of protest to espouse their views.
All of that being said. You can disagree with any of the above, but you must understand that you are then painting yourself into a pretty bad corner:
1) You support racism?
2) You believe we do not have free speech.
3) You support violence against those who do not agree with you.
Antifa has been showing issues with 2-3, and we have seen examples of 1 and 3 with the KKK and Neo Nazism. None of those should be tolerable. And I would contend that most normal Americans...if questioned...would fall into roughly the same answers for each question 1) No 2) Yes 3) No.
There is room for debate on whether or not you think we should have hate speech laws, and there is room for debate on what the best course of action is in response to both the KKK and neo Nazis as well as antifa. Personally I think ignoring them would be the best (kkk and neo Nazis as antifa is an anarchist counter protest and any time they show up they should be jailed when they resort to violence). At most a simple American flag and silent protest would be amazing (like in Turkey). Or what was done to the westboro baptists on a few occasions.
So. What do you think? If you are able to recognize the other person's response to the 3 questions...would it settle this debate? Would you accept that the other side understands your position? And that they don't believe in the evil you think they do (or you think they are excusing)?
