The Importance Of Free Speech

Students at Castleton University, a liberal arts college in Vermont, have begun to voice their concerns over the use of the Confederate flag on campus. Currently, the university does not have a policy on the flag and some students feel that there should be one implemented. The article references the flag being prevalent on campus as a material creation; seen in windows, laptops, and bumper stickers. The displaying of the flag is a behavior. Some students find the flag offensive and inappropriate; while others believe that the flag is an expression of constitutional rights and is a historical symbol.

Confederate flag should not be displayed because it is associated with slavery, which represents the 11 states seceded from the union before the war. The Civil War was a time in history where African Americans were held by plantation owners as slaves, which the United States needs to move past. In my opinion, allowing the Confederate flag to be shown in schools is immoral Although, the first amendment grants everyone the right to express themselves in any way they want in public, schools should have the right to set ground rules within their walls. In the bill of rights the first amendment states “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech” (Amendment 1, Bill of Rights). Schools all over the world ban students from wearing inappropriate clothing (example; sexually explicit material, curse words) because it offends people, and it is unacceptable in a school environment.

The confederate flag is one of the utmost controversial symbols used in the United States today. There is one question that arises to the use of the flag. Should students in Palmyra Area High school be permitted to advertise information that supports the display of the Confederate Flag in the atrium? Many people feel that the flag should not be shown and any information related to it disclosed from a school setting; however, there are some people that feel that it is their right to display that flag and display information advocating it. I feel that the flag should not be shown in a school atrium and any information pertaining to the flag disclosed from a school setting because of class disruption, case precedent and ethics.

Free speech in my mind, should be universally protected, except when that speech turns into hate against any particular minority and incites violence that is not needed for the safety of the public at large. Freedom of speech serves to be a fundamental democratic right that affords every citizen to participate in the United States constitutional democracy. It is a vital tool because it can be used by every person, rich, poor, black or white, to voice their concerns and rejections of the federal or state government in hopes to bring about change. Change comes in many forms, from allowing women to vote, to providing African Americans the equal status to their white counterparts. In addition, the 1st amendment allows for the free exchange of

Who are the guardians of free speech? Is it our elected members of parliament in Ottawa? Is

Freedom of speech is a basic 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

Campuses across the country have seen the rise of student protests against speakers over the recent years and several examples have turned violent. This is just one of the many issues involving free speech on campuses. As colleges and universities try their best to avoid controversy and disruption, free speech is put under pressure by policies that both limit and harm it. Regardless of whether they are legally allowed to do so, aren’t colleges and universities obligated to protect free speech? Without free speech protecting the communication and exchanging of ideas between students, higher education is just like primary/secondary education but with higher level courses. Many colleges and universities are guilty of obstructing free speech through policies aimed to take control of it: three common ways campus administrations dictate the limits of free speech are by implementing free speech zones that confine free expression to physical boundaries, involving security and police to supervise protests, and even disinviting speaker’s that were already invited. They may take these actions to prevent disruptions to the learning environment, but the result of their rules and regulations inhibit their students’ intellects, even though they pay tuition to learn at their schools.

The first Amendment, one of ten fundamental rights we have as American citizens. It is the right to express any opinion without censorship or restraints. It is a travesty of freedom of speech. A misnomer that falsely empowers citizens with the belief that their opinion and beliefs can be verbalized and listened to without penalty.

For many students, school provides the first opportunity to test boundaries, beliefs, and self-expression. The First Amendment safeguards the rights of every American, including students, to speak freely. After all, students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate” (Tinker v. Des Moines). Additional Supreme Court decisions, such as Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier and Bethel School District v. Fraser, have further clarified that the right to free speech and expression can sometimes be subordinate to achieve legitimate educational goals. Schools are not similar to that of a public park where someone can stand on a bench and holler. Rather, the right to free speech should be implemented in ways that do not interfere with schools’ educational mission. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public school officials cannot censor students unless school officials have a “reasonable expectation” that the expression will cause a material and substantial disruption of school activities or invade the rights of others. In the school setting, administration must look diligently at the details of a situation before making decisions when one group’s right to free speech begins impeding on another group’s right to free speech.

How can we define free speech? The understanding to free speech has changed over the years with the usage of technology. Who are the ones to decide what can or cannot be said to someone? For example, let’s look at the former LA Clippers owner, Donald Sterling and chef Paula Dean. Society has a limit to certain types of meaning for free speech, both made comments about African-Americans in their own privacy that became public news due to someone either privately recording them or reading into something that probably was taking out of context. And society took it as hateful and unethical, and the punishment for them speaking freely cost them millions behind their personal private conversation. Then we have African-American rappers using the “N” word freely all the time without any consequences. One would agree it’s okay for them because it’s coming from their own culture, but then you have others would say how? When it supposed to be a very degrading word to use.

Our government defines the limits of American society. What we say and do has weak limits that are imposed by the national government, yet what happens if we try to change that? This is possible as history proves it. The United States of America would not exist today if it was not for the revolt against the King of England in the 1700s. Ever since, the freedom of the people to have a say in the government is crucial for the existence of a democracy. In modern times, being able to express an opinion in politics is taken for granted as the government is potent enough to control the lives of thousands in a democratic way. We are struggling with the issue of immigration because many are leaving the decision-making to the hands of lawmakers that have never experienced life at the border or outside of America. To achieve a better understanding of the topic, I have to receive insight from other people.

In the United States, the citizens pride themselves on having a capitalistic democracy and the ability to have freedom of speech, but in Russia that simple freedom has never been a guaranteed right. In recent years, the treatment and trauma given towards all Russian citizens, but specifically journalists who might be going against the Kremlin, has come to light and it has a great cause for concern. The biggest worry that comes from a United States viewpoint is that as the tension grows between the Russian government and its citizens, more specifically the journalists, their ability to spread the news of these troublesome treatments is massively decreased. This is largely because in crude words as history has shown, when you go against the Kremlin, you are screwed. To have one of the most powerful countries in the world limit and diminish their citizen’s ability to criticize and critique their government is disgusting and quite frightening, especially coming from the point of view as a United States citizen.

In 1787 our United States Constitution was created and signed. Since that day it has been

I believe in being able to speak freely and the First Amendment right of free speech. Too often, people experience criticism for having the “wrong” opinion. I find it hard to even have a decent debate anymore without becoming infuriated because of the insults being made about me due to my opinions. If we are to ever achieve progress in not only the US, but the world, we need to have the ability to talk with each other in a positive manner.

College students around the country have their rights to free speech violated. Some do something about it by starting an organization advocating for free speech or going to court to have their case heard by a judge. Still, some suffer in “silence” when their rights to free speech are deprived.