Is hate speech constitutional? Are people in the United States permitted to say offensive and hurtful things about Jews, African Americans, Muslims, or homosexuals, however. If the speech or writing is threatening, it is not permitted. For example, a person can stand up at a meeting and say, “I hate African Americans. I don’t want any African Americans in my neighborhood.” This is protected speech. However, if the person telephones or sends an e-mail with the same message to an African-American family who lives on his street, this might be a threat. it would not be protected speech.