Free Speech Is The Cornerstone Of The American Freedom

The American lifestyle has always included the freedom to speak freely. This freedom, granted by the 1st amendment, can be viewed as the cornerstone of the American freedom since without it most of the other freedoms Americans enjoy become less useful or even obsolete. The issue that many find with free speech however is that everyone must have it even if that person holds an opposing opinion. This mutual respect is the foundation for civil discussions and debates that shape the country and even the world. However many Americans either no longer know how to discuss matters civilly or simply no longer want to hold important discussions this way. The population of people that believe this wishes to stop civil discussion and instead have only one belief that every person should share as being true. I therefore hypothesize that since many Americans are coming to believe this, free speech and the freedom of belief are no longer freedoms that Americans value, and that the right to free s peech is under attack by people living in America who believe that it should no longer exist. The amount of importance that Americans place on their freedoms is often vastly overestimated, but can be measured by polling companies, such as Gallup, that research the public’s opinions on certain matters such as the freedom of speech or privacy. The results of these polls, especially those taken after frightening events such as the 9/11 attacks, accurately reflect Americans’ opinions on issues,Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Stonewall Jackson Way1421 Words   |  6 PagesPoetry-Archive, George W. Jacobs Co., www.poetry-archive.com/p/stonewall_jackson_s_way.html. Accessed 4 Sept. 2017. John Williamson Palmer is a famous American author who recorded revolutionary events. Palmer was originally a physician, but he later decided to pursue a career in journalism. Since he was writing during the Civil War, his works encompass American patriotism and morale. His poem â€Å"Stonewall Jackson’s Way† serves to commemorate the achievements and leadership of the Confederate General ThomasRead More Seperation Of Church From State939 Words   |  4 Pagesconstitution ever since it was written. The first amendment relates to a citizens freedom. This freedom does not only allow this practice speech but on thought as well. It states â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.† (Barton, America: To†¦ p.15). When the constitution was formed society in general belonged to Orthodox Christian. John Quincy Adams, in a speech on July 4,1837 asked the crowd, â€Å"Why is it, that next to the birthday of theRead MorePos Wk 1949 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States Constitution (Patterson, 2011, p28). Since we began our journey away from parliamentary government, the colonists who created this nation worked hard to create a nation that would be fair to all who lived here. Americans enjoy the pursuit of happiness, freedom of living and equality because of our Constitution. The foundation for our constitution can be traced back as far as medieval times and the Magna Carta. Even then people were fighting for the rights of the people. ThroughRead MoreSymbolic Speech : Freedom Of Speech1320 Words   |  6 Pages Freedom of Speech: To Kneel or Not to Kneel? Symbolic Speech: Whether tis Nobler to Ignore the First Amendment Introduction The inspiration for my topic came from our first assignment, the MTU Constitutional Essay Contest, and the NFL kneeling/National Anthem controversy. The extent of the public outcry and the divisiveness it has caused baffles. Kneeling during the playing of The National Anthem at widely viewed sporting events seems like a perfect and peaceful way to bring attentionRead MoreThe United States And The Civil War851 Words   |  4 PagesThe word â€Å"freedom† has always been a cornerstone of the numerous transformations of the American society. It is the notion that is found in speeches of both Republican and Democrat politicians, the idea that connected the mind of an affluent Southern plantation owner and that of a radical abolitionist. Generally, the understanding of any period in the United States history as a whole relies heavily on acquiring the knowledge of the way of life, and the patterns of thought of the American public. TheRead MoreMinimum Wage vs. Slavery1407 Words   |  6 PagesNevertheless, slavery and minimum wage are too entirely different struggles due to the fact that the hardships of slavery far outnumber the hardships of living off minimum wage. The main thing that makes slavery and minimum wage incomparable is the freedom of choice. Education is a prime example of choice. Back in slavery days blacks were not afforded the opportunity to receive an education. In fact, they were not even allowed to learn how to read and write. This is proven by a quote in an articleRead MoreReconstruction Era of the United States and African American Community803 Words   |  4 Pages92. In 1865 an appointment was held between representatives of an African American community in Savannah, Georgia and Edwin Staunton, Secretary of War, and Major General Sherman concerning topics of the freedman in Georgia. Land was set aside, 40 acres, and a mule that could no longer be used by the Army to establish a community of their own. 1. Black leaders believed that owning land was essential to freedom because by them owning their own land they would be able to support themselves by themselvesRead More What Is An American Essay1650 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is an American. This country is full of individuals of many backgrounds, and diversities and each person has a different opinion on this question. In my opinion, an American is someone who values freedom and equality and pursues the American dream. Every American exercises these rights and these are great adjectives to describe our country. Each of the seven readings, and the one image I compiled help mold this broader definition into a more precise description of an American. Robert CreeleyRead MoreHuman Rights : Polished Synthesis Essay1251 Words   |  6 Pagesweaknesses so that governments could be formed to reinforce democracy s strengths while counteracting its weaknesses. Even though the Bill of Rights has served as the cornerstone of basic American freedoms, the weaknesses in the American democracy were also created by the Bill of Rights because of the right to bear arms, freedom of the press, the right to be secured from unreasonable searches and seizures, and an independent and influential judiciary. The right to bear arms is one of the strongestRead MoreSchool Law Module Three Reading Reflection Essay1640 Words   |  7 PagesSchool Law Module Three Reading Reflection American Public School Law, Chapter 8 – Student Speech and Expression Chapter Eight overviews the freedom of student speech and expression on public school property. The First Amendment provides students with the ability to openly speech and express themselves; however, there are limitations to these rights. Schools must balance the students right to free speech and expression with the need for a safe school that is advantageous for learning. As teachers