Having long been neglected in linguistics, the study of hate speech is now gaining momentum – and it is urgently needed. Only by understanding the complex and elusive nature of hate speech can we effectively uncover the intent of its users and develop strategies to put an end to it.

Whether American libraries should host sexually explicit content has been a matter of ongoing debate throughout history, and it continues to be a heated topic of discussion today. The persistent failure, however, to recognize patrons as fully embodied human beings with physical and intellectual dimensions reveals deep cultural biases at play.