Now that’s how you counter something you consider to be hate speech.
With more speech.
Not spray paint — like self-promoting Muslim activist Mona Eltahawy.
As The Post’s Jennifer Fermino reported yesterday, no fewer than three groups have bought new subway ads to counter the “defeat jihad” notices bought by blogger Pamela Geller.
Which is good news for free speech.
Not to mention the MTA — which can sure use the dough.
Ads paid for by United Methodist Women declaring that “Hate speech is not civilized” went up this week in the same subway stations as the anti-jihad ones.
Others have been purchased by Rabbis for Human Rights and the Christian group Sojourners. All make their points respectfully but forcefully — and without obliterating anyone else’s ads.
In fact, Geller — who had to go to court when the MTA initially tried to ban her ads — says she’s bought another $20,000 worth of posters, which will soon make their appearance in other subway stops.
Not everyone agrees that her ads actually constituted what’s been popularly designated these days as hate speech. But some did — and suggested that hate speech of any kind needs to be forcefully suppressed.
Most others, we suspect, appreciate the First Amendment and its guarantees even for unpopular speech.
If it catches on, maybe the MTA will raise enough cash to call off a fare hike. That would be a free-speech fringe benefit.