The Importance Of Free Speech

I am writing this letter with concern to two of the amendments written on the US constitution.

Freedom of speech and expression are a big part of the United States of America. The first amendment suggests, “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.” During the recent NFL season, San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem before the game. This action went unnoticed until the third preseason. However, when the cameras noticed Kaepernick, a massive outburst ensued. Social media, television, and newspapers covered this story, sometimes more than the game. This issue split the Individuals, especially on social media. Some trusted it’s Kaepernick’s right to kneel, in comparison others believed it’s preposterous and a sign of disrespect towards the country and the Individuals protecting it.

Free Speech Zones have become a popular solution to the ever growing problem of the combination of protesters and easily offended people across the United States. These zones exist in many places and are especially prevalent on college campuses. The intent of such zones is arguably good, to ensure that the purpose of universities remains centered on learning. The constitutionality and

I believe free speech in America is slowing depleting even though the first amendment of

Established in the Constitution, written in 1787, the Constitution guaranteed the citizens of the United States the rights of freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly in the First Amendment etched in the Bill of Rights. Throughout history, many Americans have experienced restrictions of freedom of speech during the United States earliest years as a country. John Adams, the second president of the United States, established the Alien and Sedition Act, which impeded upon Free Speech by restricting citizens from criticizing the government and president of their actions. Therefore, through the 1st Amendment, citizens should remain protected of their liberties in every aspect until they confiscate others of their liberties, and it should protect hate speech unless an individual’s liberties are in danger or under threat. The Supreme Court should define hate speech as threats that present another individual in obvious peril.

To be an American, it means that you can be whoever you want. It means that no matter where you come from, you can be who you want to be. It means to have freedom.

Even though the United States has the first amendment, the right of freedom of speech, there is a limit to that right in which the Government then can step in. The Government has to have a motive to need to step in and block or not share certain information. One extent is if the information contains context that puts the Nation's National Security in jeopardy. The Government has not been telling us more about the war that we have been in, and has also given us false information to keep us thinking that we know what is happening in places like Iraq.

As people of the United States, since we were first formed, we have stood up and put our hands over our hearts for those who have lost their lives for our country, but as time has passed, some of us have stopped standing and or putting our hands over our hearts and holding up fists instead. Is this such a bad thing to do? We as people are required to do the same thing and live the American dream. Every. Single. Day. Ever since preschool or kindergarten, we are supposed to stand up, say the pledge and do it with our hand over our heart. There have been some issues with students sitting down or holding up a fist at the side of them, this is seen as a problem, but as always, there are two sides to everything.

As citizens of the United States, we have the right to freedom of speech, which is one of the most valuable rights a person has in the United States. This right allows people to speak their minds against unjust policies, and live in the country with an open mind without the fear of the government or being prosecuted. These rights have been exercised throughout history, and have made a positive impact in our country. However not every country is allowed to have free speech, which makes this a luxury for our citizens. Recently the questioning of whether there should be limits to the freedom of speech has risen, and many want restrictions against biased and racist remarks. I believe we should have the freedom of speech because it allows us to express our opinions on certain topics that we may not agree on.

A poll was done in 1991, where it was found only 33% of adults knew what the point of having the bill of rights was for. Also, only 19% of adults know that the first amendment includes freedom of religion. Out of how many of those people realize that our soldiers fight for these freedoms so we can continue to have a successful country? People today should know why soldiers go out to war and what they fight for. The government should uphold no cruel and unusual punishment, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion to honor soldiers who gave their “last full measure of devotion” and to ensure “these dead shall not have died in vain”.

Public places are often centers where much intermixing and exchange occurs, hubs of human behavior, where everyone is expected to be treated equally. College campuses are meant to be places where students of all backgrounds and nationalities come to gain an education; it is important to agree on the ability to foster conversation and exchange of ideas and thoughts, but just like many things there should be rules and regulations. Often times, there is the idea that on college campuses students are able to have fair and civil arguments. Though this is ideally what the goal is, it often falls short. Many believe that the right answer to this is having more speech, as the ACLU says “Where racist, sexist, and homophobic speech is concerned, the ACLU believes that more speech -not less- is the best revenge”(Glasser 1), though this is ideally what should happen, it is difficult to have rational dialogue with individuals that do not recognise others different from them as equals. Hate Speech Codes come in to curb the possibility of what starts off as simple disagreement from developing into

There is a famous written saying that adheres to the attitude of every important figure throughout world history, “I disapprove of what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This statement allows all individuals to say and be who they wish to be in our society today (Hall, 1906, p. 199).

Free speech is a fundamental right to not only being American but being a human. Exchanging and defending principles, beliefs, and ideas have been existent since the beginning of mankind. We would not have made it this far if people did not have the freedom to speak what they wanted or needed to say. Philosophers and scientists, poets and writers, people such as Rousseau, Milton, Locke, Newton, Descartes, and numerous more might never have accomplished what they had or been recognized if not for the freedom of speech. Some of the most important examples of free speech that set in motion the foundation of America were the petitions from the colonists and finally the Declaration of Independence.

Why is the Freedom of Speech the Most Important Right? The founders of our country feared one thing above all else - tyranny. Their fear of tyranny drove them to rebel against Britain, declare independence, and fight a war for their most basic rights.

The dixie chicks the rise and fall they got bashed on they were getting death threats when they were only speaking their mind and thoughts about the president and that one comment sent them out the door of fame for a while. To my concern they made some remorse comments they should have never said that and i know everybody is going to come back with freedom of speech but that’s something else you should keep to yourself. I think they are in the wrong here just because if you didn’t like the president doesn’t mean you speak out on him and disrespect him that way and he’s from the state that you’re performing in and you still bash him there that is so rude and are using historical in order to be relevant and are so full of themselves so I think