It is because of the First Amendment that we have many privileges such as freedom of speech and the Eight Values of Free Expression. Over the last few weeks in Media Law and Literacy, we have learned how crucial this is for all American citizens. The First Amendment 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."
The Eight Values of Free Expression include
1) Marketplace of Ideas which involves discovering the truth.
2) Participation in Self-government which allows free speech for candidates in elections.
3) Stable Change which prevents unnecessary violence allowing citizens to vent their problems which results in more stability.
4) Individual Self-Fulfilment which allows for free expression ultimately allowing individuals to create their own identities.
5) Check on Governmental Power allows for checks and balances to prevent the abuse of governmental power.
6) Promote Tolerance allows individuals to become more tolerant.
7) Promote Innovation where free speech allows citizens to be more creative allowing for a more diverse and interesting society.
8) Promote Dissent which allows you to disagree with the government and other citizens.
Stable Change:
All of these stood out to me and resonated with me in some way but the one that I connected with the most was stable change. Stable change enables citizens to express their thoughts freely or "vent." It has been demonstrated that citizens allowed to voice their opinions tend to be more stable and less inclined to violence. One instance that comes to mind is demonstrations or protests. Citizens are permitted to "vent" and express their opinions through non-violent protests under the First Amendment. This supports the concept of stable change by permitting citizens to express their opinions freely without leading to violence. The government must offer pathways for citizens to voice their opinions and practice free speech in order to guarantee that the protests are peaceful and constructive to where it does not get uncontrollably out of hand.
I see this happen a lot today. Especially in big cities such as Washington D.C. or New York City where politics play a big role in those cities. Although I have never been apart of a protest, I have watched many, and all have been peaceful and have signs and megaphones and citizens start chanting and rallying around the city. This is a super important freedom because it allows citizens of the United States to voice their opinions in a peaceful way. Some examples that I have seen protests of including women's rights, wages, and black lives matter.
Individual Self Fulfillment:
The most important freedom I learned about is the individual self-fulfillment freedom. When individuals can express themselves freely, it establishes the way for a variety of perspectives. The significance of self-fulfillment for individuals highlights the importance of free speech in a diverse society. For me, I am always aware of making sure that my views and beliefs align with my identity. To express yourself correctly, it is essential to ensure that you are conscious of your thoughts and views. This freedom is very important to me and something I am very thankful for because I like to voice my own opinion and without this freedom, it would be very difficult to be who I am.
Without the First Amendment, or any of these Eight Values of Expression, it would be impossible to voice your opinion or what matters most to you and we would not have freedom of speech or any of these rights. It permits a society filled with diverse people, with varying viewpoints to express themselves, and fosters a more engaging way of life. After learning about these in depth I realized how blessed I am to live in the United States of America and have these privileges.
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