In modern day America, the topic of freedom of speech is widely disputed. More specifically in regards to when you are protected by our first amendment. It is extremely important to know what this right entitles as a way to protect yourself, as well as to keep yourself from looking like an idiot. For example, being banned from a social media site, such as Twitter, does not violate the constitution.¹ This is because Twitter is a private organization. This is also why you can be fired from your job if you say something incriminating on the internet.¹ The first amendment does not apply to private organizations. As well as this, you cannot be fined or punished for something such as not standing for the pledge. This is because it “is an act of political
After reading the transcript of the speech, “The Spirit of Liberty”, given by federal judge for more than 50 years, Learned Hand, who served most of the time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, my idea of what it means to be an American was slightly shifted. The statement made by Hand which really caught my attention was, “What do we mean when we say that first of all we seek liberty? I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and upon courts. These are false hopes.” I agree with Hand in the sense that the constitution can only serve purpose to our country if we, as Americans, learn to be truly accepting.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Whether or not on a college campus, people (especially college students) should have the right to speak freely. Everyone does have the right to speak freely, because it is one of the twenty-seven amendments. Colleges all around the United States are now home to many restrictions on free speech. For example, the idea and use of “free speech zones” has made its way to colleges everywhere. A “free speech zone” is a sidewalk sized place where students are allowed to speak their minds freely on college campuses. I know what you’re thinking. This sounds ridiculous. Why are there specific places for people to speak their minds? Aren’t colleges suppose to be a place where students speak their minds and learn new things? Universities should not be able to put any restrictions on free speech.
Many people come to the United States looking for freedom and liberty and where their essential rights are protected under the Constitution. However, freedom should not be taken for granted as for every rule there may be limits. The First Amendment of the United States’ Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Corwin 48). In other words, the First Amendment granted freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petition. The First Amendment is clear enough for anyone to comprehend and process easily; however, people sometimes misunderstand their rights by doing what their First Amendment right does not protect, especially when it comes to freedom of speech. Seven of the most important law cases in the United States’ history are what shaped the American’s society and allowed people to hopefully know and recognize their limits and restrictions when it comes to their speech whether it was a literal speech or a symbolic speech.
In the United States we enjoy many freedoms. There are many place throughout the world that don’t allow you to live your life with the flexibilities that a United States citizen may possess. These right are given by the Unites States constitution has made this country become pioneers of innovation, and cultural development. Having a right to express yourself and your ideals have made this the home of immigrates with the ambition to develop into major contributors in modern society. One freedom we enjoy, I would like to discuss in this paper is freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is one the world’s most sort after rights but as of lately it has been under attack stating it may cause national security issues. In this paper we will look at the development of the First Amendment and how newly enacted laws that will cause the government to label people or groups enacting this rights as extremist.
As an American citizen and a late bloomer to the political arena in the United States, I find myself arriving in an disheartening and frightening environment. Where I have suddenly awoken in a dis-utopian world of money, power and greed, where the rich elites of the population has all the power to speak up. Where money has become more out-spoken and heard than actual dialog, while the majority of the population remains silenced through underfunded attempts to express their views. Giving money the potency of free speech enables only the people with a financial mouth to resonate loud enough to be heard. Presidents, Senators, Legislators and House of Representative members are involved in the process of making policies and laws, who are
Under the First Amendment, we as Americans have protected rights known as Freedom of Speech. How I see Freedom of Speech is it gives us the right to voice our own opinions without any retaliation or repercussions. An example in which Freedom of Speech may be utilized is before, during and after a Presidential Election. Many people will have their own opinions about how they see each Presidential Candidate fit or unfit. Alot of times after people exercise this right, Rallys and Protests occur. Unfortunetly sometimes when this does happen, boundaries are overstepped. This can result in threats, crimes, slander ad even people getting
To the eyes of many Americans, kneeling while the anthem is being played and the flag is being shown is disrespectful. Blood and sweat has been sacrificed for our flag and for us that live in this beautiful country. These same soldiers fought for a place where we can walk safely, we can speak without fear, and for our Constitution.
The First Amendment of the Constitution protects individuals freedom of speech. Many people think they have the right to express whatever they want, which most of the time it is true, but sometimes it does have consequences even though it's not illegal.
Freedom - Power or right to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint, but isn’t it more? The framers of the Constitution promised the freedom of speech to all citizens of the U.S. through the first amendment. What is “America’s Gift to my Generation”? Well, it’s the freedom of speech, here are three reasons why. By allowing me to say what I believe, I can make “some” decisions and communicate them, and I’m able to think freely.
On Decemeber 15, 1791, the First Amendment was passed along with 9 other amendements in the "Bill of Rights." The purpose of these amendments were to address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists that the "U.S. Constitution" did not protect the citizens from the government infringing on their rights. The Freedom of Speech is defined as the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint and has been at the center of many heated cases in the United States and across the world.
People in our society do not really have a say in what goes on in our community. “Unlike our colleagues, they had little trouble distinguishing corporations from human beings, and when they constitutionalized the right to free speech in the First Amendment, it was the free speech of individual Americans that they had in mind (Stevens, 115-116).” Society is manipulated into thinking the way government officials want voters to think. The society being those who work in government jobs are limited in what can be discussed amongst the world. This limit takes away workers and the community freedom of speech.
Like most democratic nations in the world, the United States has had its own fair share of issues with hate speech. There has been a lot of controversy over whether hate speech should be regulated. In analyzing the concept of free speech, one cannot ignore that it does not occur in a vacuum. There have been all types of debasements ranging from ethnic, religious, racial and gendered stereotyping. Freedom of speech inherently includes all other fundamental human rights. Hence, as acknowledged through natural rights, other rights and personhood should adamantly be included within this scope of this protection. Hate speech is a limit on free speech, as it not only puts the victim under deliberate psychological and physical harm, but also
Freedom of speech is an essential right and freedom guaranteed to the citizens of the United States by the first amendment of the United States Constitution. The right to exercise this freedom, and to what extent, is a debate that has generated considerable discussion between governments, the press, and many international organizations such as WikiLeaks worldwide. In this current technological age of digital information and global social media, there is a growing need to maintain access to sensitive data and to control the release of classified information in relation to National Security, political and cultural affairs between the United States, NATO and NATO allies, and the protection of United States military personnel overseas.
There are many phrases and use of words that can be considered controversial in the past as well in todays society. The first amendment states that “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (Volokh, 2016.). Throughout history, congress has kept up their end of the deal with no laws being established against religion, and those who peacefully assemble due to recent protests has not be interrupted by the government, for it is their right as citizens to practice their freedom of speech. Throughout history, there have been times were civilians felt some of these rights were infringed by the government within the United States, as well as outside of the United States, where other countries may have found themselves in a situation of government versus an individual or group when it came to their rights not being fulfilled by their government.
With understanding of the First Amendment, one could easily conclude that the amendment protects several basic liberties. Although, many liberties are granted via the First Amendment, free speech is one of the most valued and controversial liberties, It is hard to define and often conflicts with other rights. Due to ongoing controversy regarding the “free speech,” the courts have had to determine and define just what free speech is and what the limits of free speech are. Free speech is not easily defined. Courts have identified three types of free speech, each protected at a different level. (ushistory.org)