Freedom Of Speech: The First Amendment

The social and political activist Abbie Hoffman once said “Free speech means the right to shout “theatre” in a crowed fire.” What Hoffman said explains exactly what having Freedom of speech is like. Freedom of speech is something every American is granted, yet many who do in fact speak their mind are ridiculed. Freedom of Speech is one of the many perks that an American has besides having individual liberty. Instead of using Freedom of Speech to help others around the world who do not have it, many people use it for the wrong reason and can lead to harmful outbursts. Throughout the course of History, Freedom of Speech has become progressively negative and people have begun to push the boundaries of the First Amendment rule while asking the
government for help in their social lives.
If there was one thing America could agree on, it would be that freedom of speech is one of the most sacred individual rights.
The First Amendment reassures people as separate beings that they have freedom to voice their opinions and beliefs free of government interference. “The purpose of free speech is that us as an individual may express our goals and ideas … without disciplinary action from the government” says John (Patrick). Although the First Amendment is their protection from the government, people still find a way to involve themselves in people’s lives and opinions. The First Amendment is the foundation of America and is the reason why the government doesn’t have complete control over U.S citizens. “The First Amendment is still our source of protection …We would be at the feet of the government when we express ourselves” explains Hudson (“Personal and Public Expression Overview”). Facing conflicts with the government is something everyone tries to avoid, so people hide behind their privilege of the First Amendment. Many believe that political activism is sheltered by Freedom of Speech when it actually is not. Debbie Levy wrote “Opinion is more fractured when the question is how the government may regulate elections and electoral campaigns’ (Levy). Freedom of Speech isn’t truly free and causes separation between people in a society. Freedom of speech in today’s society is either objectified, ignored, or considered
invalid.
Freedom of Speech will never truly be owned due to the conflicts that come with voicing opinions. People like to believe that they will live their lives as they please, saying whatever they want without consequence, but that isn’t quite true. According to chairman Pilch, “Over the 20th century, we have too often ignored those principals and asked the government to become increasingly inverted in our everyday affairs” (The First Amendment and Restrictions on Political Speech). This represents a conflict of interest with America’s government and the First Amendment since the government isn’t supposed to intervene in America’s social issues, yet Americans ask for help with these issues. Due to the Civil Rights law, it has become prohibited to look down upon others because of their age, race, ethnicity, gender and heritage. Student researchers found out that “Discrimination that interferes with voting rights and equality of opportunity in education, employment, and housing is unlawful” (Civil Rights). Discriminating others by their circumstance because of personal preference can be harmful to someone’s opportunities and choices. Free Speech feels like it’s becoming limited because people feel pressured and fearful of the conflict and backlash for personal beliefs. It has been told “For over a century it has been believed we had abolished rule by divine right … Maintained inviolate liberty of conscience of speech and press” (“Our Vanishing Liberty of the Press”). People have joined as groups to voice their opinions and are leaving their right to having personal liberty. Conflicts from Freedom of Speech have only led to discrimination, the feeling as if Freedom of Speech has become limited and the consequence of opinion.
Not only is it undermined to most, but women who use their voice are ignored and pushed to the side.
By figuring out what unites women as a whole, could change the future and set equality in motion. Hillary Clinton explained “However different we may be, there is more that unites us then divides us” (“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights”). Equality is something America has never seen before and has been ignored for many years but is in the near future. Women should be valued, respected and acknowledged just as it says in the First Amendment. Hillary Clinton exclaimed “We are here to find common ground so that we may bring new dignity and respect women and girls all over the world” (“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights”). Women aren’t given as many opportunities as men and its time people start finding shared preferences and work together as one. Women are pushing for equality due to men being given preferential treatment both in past and present societies. “The future of the translantic relationship lies in confronting the changes of the twenty-first century” says John (McCain). In order for the world to progress not only as one but equally, women need to be viewed the same as men. Women should not have to feel inferior just because of their biological differences to men and their voices should be heard with the same respect that is given to
men.
As time as gone on, the idealistic ways of Freedom of Speech have changed in a negative way and people are concerning the government in their social issues. Freedom of Speech lets us say our opinions, but not everyone will agree on them and that’s why the First Amendment was created, so people could speak their minds without government interference. Now, this doesn’t mean that consequences are nowhere to be found when people say their opinions, but people will say “It’s a free country!” and hide behind the First Amendment. Furthermore, women are fighting to become equal and have the same rights as men. The people who shaped and created the allowment of having Free speech did not know of the outcome and the conflicts it would lead to.