Freedom is the right to express opinions, think, and act freely without government restraint. The National Archives Foundation website regarding the Amendments to the U.S. 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. (“Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.” National Archives Foundation, 14 Nov. 2016) As stated in the video, Freedom of Speech: Crash Course Government and Politics #25, “The First Amendment is not unlimited as it only protects you from government action and not the action of private people, especially your employers. The exception is being employed by the government, in which case, you might be able to claim a First Amendment right.” We are allowed freedom of speech but are not allowed freedom from consequences regarding that speech. While hurling insults at your boss won’t land you in jail, being your employer, they still have the right to fire you. The kind of speech that is not protected includes obscenity, defamation, incitement, commercial speech, fighting words, and the like. (Lawshelf) Hate speech is protected under the First Amendment though it might occasionally fall into the exception of the First Amendment: a racist speech seeking to incite violence against a group interpreted as an immediate threat to harm but other than this, it is broadly protected.
When exchanging views, we have to recognize the cultural basis of our set definitions of freedom and understand that no one definition is universally accurate whilst being open to different perspectives. When having open discussions, we can avert logical fallacies by not allowing our discussions to be led by emotional appeals that lack a supporting basis of evidence or reasoning. We must also not oversimplify complex situations into simplistic, two-valued, diametric views or deliberately exercise illogical reasoning. When involved in such discussions, we should not present ourselves as informed on the subject if we indeed are not nor should we use irrelevant appeals to deviate advertence from the issue at hand.
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I have not participated in many forms of symbolic speech though I have known family members of mine who have shown support for mental health awareness. It saddens me to see them struggle with involving our family to participate with them as most do not believe in mental health or the issues that people do struggle with. There have been many heated debates within our home with many calling it a “figment of one’s imagination” and labeling individuals with these struggles “lunatics” while describing their struggles to downplay the struggles of others. It has been a growing issue within our family with most having moved to different states to feel acknowledged and heard. I show my support by routinely checking in on my friends to see how they are and sending them long messages about how much I appreciate them almost weekly. While some might find it annoying, I keep in mind that not all people have a circle of individuals they can talk to or rely on and that sometimes, the simplest words are the most comforting.
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First Amendment Freedom of Speech: Reflective Essay.
(2024, March 27). Edubirdie. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/first-amendment-freedom-of-speech-reflective-essay/
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2024 Mar 27 [cited 2024 Dec 21].
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