True American Values

Freedom of speech gives people The right to free speech, which is one of the most precious rights an individual has as a citizen of the United States of America. This right gives people the opportunity to speak their mind and give their opinions of what they think should happen. These rights have been questioned and exercised throughout history and have produced extremely positive things in a lot of cases. The questioning of these rights are

Americans and free speech go together like burger king. You can always have it your way, but at what cost? Free speech is something that has been around for a long time, but has involved & seen various dilemmas that make you want to question it & your own freedom. Although free speech was guaranteed in the first amendment there have been many situations that in a complex way make you think about your own rights & the whole purpose of being born in the United States with them. If I was to wake up one day & decide that I wanted to freely create a protest expressing that I support gay rights or the LGBT community then by all means I should be able to do that without any interference.

All you ever hear about in the news lately is people getting in trouble for speech. Many Americans embrace freedom of speech for the same reasons they embrace other aspects of individualism. Freedom of speech is the right to defiantly, robustly and irreverently speak one's mind just because it is one's mind. Freedom of speech is thus bonded in special and unique ways to the human capacity to think, imagine and create. Conscience and consciousness are the sacred precincts of mind and soul. Freedom of speech is intimately linked to freedom of thought, to that central capacity to reason and wonder, hope and believe, that largely defines our humanity (Smolla).

When I think of America, I think of freedom. We live in a country where we can do what we choose. We can express our opinions and live our own lives. Individuals can form their own individual beliefs and they can do what they want and pursue what they wish. They can play basketball, go to school, get a job, have a family, buy a house, or go to church. We are free. We have opportunity to be whatever we want to make ourselves. When you ask, what is an American? I find it no different to ask, what is freedom? America and freedom are intertwined and this relationship is evident in American literature.

The United States Constitution grants American citizens the freedom of speech. This single line in the First Amendment has been a staple of American culture since its ratification on December 15, 1791 (Constitution Center, 2018). The Founders recognized the significance of this freedom and the power it had to shape a young nation. It was George Washington who declared-“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter” (Global Research, 2016). The legal definition of this vision is “the right to express information, ideas, and opinions- free of government restrictions based on content and subject only to reasonable limitations” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). This sole clause has been the subject

Who are americans what do they stand for? To me an American is being a citizen of the united states and involving yourself in the effort to keep America thriving.I believe that to be considered to be an American you do not need to be born in America, i believe that to be a true American you stand up for what you believe in. for example, Trevor Keever a young man that was fired from his job for wearing a pin that said “under god” on it stood up for what he believed in and he's a perfect example of a true american. You are proud to live in the country for example ian Michael was a war vet that travels the world sharing his story with others demonstrating his pride for being an american. To be an american is being proud that you can practice your own religion. Being an american is having freedom of speech no matter your gender or your race. For example many college students are using their freedom of speech by using their words to protest against the violence in the charlottesville violence. Being an american is to help your community and being supportive of others rights.

My real definition of an American is Chris Fields. An Oklahoma City firefighter. This firefighter risked his life, his family for the safe of an innocent girl. Even though this firefighter was doing his job, he had hope that

To be an American isn’t always about having nice cars and big mansions throughout different time periods the idea of being an American has changed. The Pre-Revolutionary War Era, the building of a Nation Era and the World War Era all contribute to the way being an American is thought of. In times of disgraces or economic prosperity America has always stood together but dreams were changed.

As Americans we have freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is the right to express ideas and opinions when you speak. Freedom of speech also means that we have the right to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others. Americans are allowed to express their opinions about the government and anything else. We are free to criticize the actions of the government and government officials.

Being land of the free is what America is known for. Our Freedom and Fundamental Rights are the reason many people become Americans. A quote that defines this core belief that best comes from Patty Sermersheim of Twinsburg, Ohio, she states “America is freedom of opportunity, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to who you want to be who you truly are” (“What Unites Us?”). Who doesn’t want to be who they truly are? This is what we all thrive for and the reason many want to live the American life. To be able to speak out against the government and question everything is sometimes taken for granted. Not every country allows their citizens to do this. In America we also do not have an official religion and are allowed to put our faith in what we chose it to be or not to be. I couldn’t imagine as a catholic not being allowed to pray and practice my religion. If my country did not allow this I would not feel welcomed or loved by my country. Another quote that goes well with this core belief is from Yoyo Ferro of Atlanta, Georgia, he states “I feel like there’s something that’s missing right now that would unite us eventually, and it’s patience … also [being] open-minded. Really listen to the other side” (“What Unites Us?”). Without freedom of speech then we would never have the opportunity to hear this other side of opinion from most. In a government without freedom of speech we become close-minded and lose unity. A close-minded society is a society that suppresses the thoughts of its people. As an American you have to realize you do not always agree with your fellow Americans but this is okay and its encouraged to speak up your own opinion. I agree with Yoyo that we are currently missing patience to unite us but I believe that it’s a growing process this unity that we want to reach. My last quote from Freedom and Fundamental Rights is from Matt Bradford of Nicholasville, Kentucky, He

Citizens of the United States shall have the right to free speech. Persons shall be permitted to express their opinions freely in any way whether that be orally, written, recorded, displayed on websites, or by using symbols, signs or images.

I know free speech is a touchy topic with arguments detailing many issues relating to speech, but, there have been problems with both sides. To my knowledge, free speech is an essential part of most democratic countries, outlining what speech is okay. Freedom of speech being important to the safety of citizens and helping to protect their rights. Although freedom of speech

Throughout American history, specifically the period of World War II leading up to the Cold War, the country has had certain core values that they are expected to adhere, often recognized as liberty, equality, and justice. These core values are known as the basic rights that every human being should be guaranteed. Specific moments in the country’s history relating to liberty are the forced internment of Japanese Americans into internment camps, the secret building of the atomic bombs to use on Japan, and the McCarthyism of the 1950s. Moments relating to equality are the exclusion of blacks from the American Dream, voting restrictions in the South before the Civil Rights Movement, and segregation in American schools. Occasions pertaining to justice are the murder of Emmett Till and subsequent acquittal of the men that murdered him, American involvement in the Chinese Civil War, and insufficient payment given to women during World War II. America has, in many cases, failed to adhere to these core values that the country is meant to always stand for.

Freedom of speech in America is a right the American people are given through the First Amendment in Constitution but finding a balance with that and also protecting others from harassment is very important. Because the Constitution was written way before there was an internet and other technology, the time has come to put in place laws which honor our right to free speech while protecting us from the potential harm from criminal threats, cyber stalking, cyber harassment, sexual invasions of privacy and bias intimidation which is now possible and how it is even

Another freedom that I enjoy as an American is freedom of speech. As an American,