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freedom of speech
As citizens of the United States, we are entitled to be free and protected when we speak our opinions about things. We have the right to say anything, according to the first amendment. Although the constitution protects our free speech, we can still be punished for some of those things; reason being, a person can not threaten, nor wear anything that may potentially inflict violence; even by saying offensive things, you can end up in jail or even worse.
As stated in Amendment I of the Bill of Rights put into place in 1791, “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.” This amendment protects the people from a punishable crime for criticizing the government’s laws, using offensive language, advertising business, and unpatriotic issues, such as burning the American flag.
However, we are not protected from threatening people, inflicting violence, or defamation, which is saying dishonest things about someone through writing or speech. The First Amendment does not protect private-run companies when advertising or selling. Nor does it protect the people from obscenities, fraud, pornography, non-disclosure agreements, perjury, privacy rights, threats against the president, copyrights, incitement, classified information, and trade secrets (Freedom of Press).
Freedom of speech allows for “criticizing one’s government without fearing state retribution, using words generally considered offensive, wearing a T-shirt with a message of protest, and advertising goods or services.” As Americans we are free to write, wear, and speak whatever we choose, even if it has guns or hateful language. The words we speak can, hypothetically, offend anyone.
Now, more than ever, our free speech is important. In a time that everyone believes their opinions matter we need to use our words as defense and to educate the uneducated.
As stated in Amendment I of the Bill of Rights put into place in 1791, “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.” This amendment protects the people from a punishable crime for criticizing the government’s laws, using offensive language, advertising business, and unpatriotic issues, such as burning the American flag.
However, we are not protected from threatening people, inflicting violence, or defamation, which is saying dishonest things about someone through writing or speech. The First Amendment does not protect private-run companies when advertising or selling. Nor does it protect the people from obscenities, fraud, pornography, non-disclosure agreements, perjury, privacy rights, threats against the president, copyrights, incitement, classified information, and trade secrets (Freedom of Press).
Freedom of speech allows for “criticizing one’s government without fearing state retribution, using words generally considered offensive, wearing a T-shirt with a message of protest, and advertising goods or services.” As Americans we are free to write, wear, and speak whatever we choose, even if it has guns or hateful language. The words we speak can, hypothetically, offend anyone.
Now, more than ever, our free speech is important. In a time that everyone believes their opinions matter we need to use our words as defense and to educate the uneducated.
Daisy sands