3. Conviction. Does the statement represent the individual's considered opinion? All of us, in our unconscious, harbor prejudicial thoughts. Comments made in writing, then, ought to be taken more seriously and judged more harshly than comments made in speech; comments made soberly are worse than those made in anger or jest. Comments made in the absence of emotional or chemical duress are worse than those made drunk, or in some stressful context. When a teenager yells at her mother, "I wish you were dead," that's hate speech. It's malcious and its targetted (I wish YOU were dead, not all mothers.) But mothers forgive their children for shouting those words, because the speech fails the conviction test. When we are frustrated or angry, we say things we don't mean--and the world, properly, ought to make allowances for us when we do.

The rest of the article is at the source. And a great discussion amongst the readers. A very intriguing read.

There are many levels of racism. Maybe there is a long post in here somewhere?