“Everyone loves free expression as long as it isn't exercised” (Rosenblatt 501). In the article, We are Free to Be You, Me, Stupid, and Dead, Roger Rosenblatt argues for the people’s right to freedom of speech and expression, that is given by the U.S Constitution. Rosenblatt argues that freedom of speech is one of the many reasons the Founding Fathers developed this country. For this reason, Rosenblatt believes that we should be tolerant and accepting of other’s ideas and beliefs. Even if one does not agree with someone else, they need to be understanding and realize that people have differing opinions. Everyone has the right to free expression, and this is what Rosenblatt is trying to get across. The necessity of freedom of expression and …show more content…
“When a country does experience major conflict, such as civil wars or major regime-challenging protests, press freedoms are more closely associated with nonviolent conflict compared to violent conflict” (Why Freedom of Speech Matters). Freedom of expression gives people the chance to speak out toward their government, and express their issues. This makes it simpler for the government to respond to them, decreasing the risk of violence. “I found that when comparing instances of major nonviolent conflict (think Tunisia protests during Arab Spring) and violent conflict (think Syrian civil war), higher levels of press freedoms were strong predictors of nonviolent conflict over violent conflict” (Why Freedom of Speech Matters). With this in mind, there could be more violence toward the government or between the people of the United states, if freedom of expression did not exist. Free speech gives the government an opportunity to listen to what the people want in a peaceful manner. When taking a peaceful approach and creating an improved system, the likelihood of the government responding and making changes becomes …show more content…
If limitations are placed on some things, but not others, then it will lead to a great deal of conflict. Freedom of expression is a great thing, however it does come along with a few negative side effects. This including, hateful, ignorant, and rude individuals who do not care what they say. Some want to be able to control these hateful people and restrict what they are permitted to do or say. But, where is the gray line? Who decides what is limited and what is permitted? “Who is left to decide what is hateful and offensive?” (Thoughts on Freedom of Speech). This is the exact reasoning to why we cannot control freedom of expression without eliminated it completely, because there is no one to decide what is allowed and what is not.There cannot just be some limitations placed on freedom of expression because one person does not like what another person says. If this were the case, freedom of expression could not exist at all because someone is always going to be offended by what another person says. Possessing freedom of expression means being tolerant and accepting of others who have differing opinions, or even offensive ones. This might not always be easy, but is what one has to deal with in order to voice their own voice and opinions. Accepting and tolerating others does not mean that one has to agree with them. Every individual is given the liberty to exercise their right to free speech.
Freedom of speech has been a controversial issue throughout the world. Our ability to say whatever we want is very important to us as individuals and communities. Although freedom of speech and expression may sometimes be offensive to other people, it is still everyone’s right to express his/her opinion under the American constitution which 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 the press”. Although this amendment gave people the right express thier opinions, it still rests in one’s own hands as how far they will go to exercise that right of freedom of speech.
This source supplies my paper with more evidence of how freedom of speech is in a dangerous place. American has always stood by freedom of speech, and to see how social media platforms try to manipulate and take off as the choose to increase slight bias is unpleasant. The article establishes a worry to the fellow readers that hold freedom of speech so high and that it is at risk. The article manages to explain why freedom of speech is in danger, and why there should be no limits to free speech.
Freedom of speech and expression is a right given to all Americans in the First
The United States of America is often known for having more freedom than anywhere else. As Gandhi said, “A ‘no’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better and greater than a ‘yes’ uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.” Freedom of speech is a big part of the American culture and citizens are encouraged to speak their minds and opinions openly. It is such an important aspect of each American individual that it is
middle of paper ... ... Everyone has the right to express their point of view. Free speech gives online communities abundant resources that broaden viewers’ horizons and keep people updated on ideas from different perspectives. A free community gives people the freedom to actively choose what they want, rather than accept what authority thinks is good for them passively.
Since this country was founded, we have had a set of unalienable rights that our constitution guarantees us to as Americans. One of the most important rights that is mentioned in our constitution is the right to free speech. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
According to “Freedom of Speech” by Gerald Leinwand, Abraham Lincoln once asked, “Must a government, of necessity, be too strong for the liberties of its people, or too weak to maintain its own existence (7)?” This question is particularly appropriate when considering what is perhaps the most sacred of all our Constitutionally guaranteed rights, freedom of expression. Lincoln knew well the potential dangers of expression, having steered the Union through the bitterly divisive Civil War, but he held the Constitution dear enough to protect its promises whenever possible (8).
A society where citizens, and those who have committed unforgiving acts, fear in expressing dissident thoughts. In essence, it would be dishonest to deny people their right to freedom of speech, and as said from a quote written in the article from the author Salman Rushdie, “What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.” With these limits, it is up to the government to decide whether an individual’s freedom of speech is offensive, or permissible, however it adds more complications due to the fact that individuals must now worry if the government’s power to restrict, maybe overused, or taken advantage of, which causes unpredictability. In summary, adding restrictions, or limitations in general would not add any benefits for the United States, and simply add more
Freedom of speech is the right of civilians to openly express their opinions without constant interference by the government. For the last few years, the limitations and regulations on freedom of speech have constantly increased. This right is limited by use of expression to provoke violence or illegal activities, libel and slander, obscene material, and proper setting. These limitations may appear to be justified, however who decides what is obscene and inappropriate or when it is the wrong time or place? To have so many limits and regulations on freedom of speech is somewhat unnecessary. It is understood that some things are not meant to be said in public due to terrorist attacks and other violent acts against our government, but everything should not be seen as a threat. Some people prefer to express themselves angrily or profanely, and as long as it causes no har...
Most countries do not give people full freedom, and yet we take our freedom for granted, and don’t realize how lucky we are to have freedom. When the pilgrims came to the new world, they came to have freedom, religious freedom. I know some countries don’t allow religious freedom, and if anyone goes against the established religion, they will be treated harshly. There is another type of freedom, the freedom of speech. Once again, many countries don’t have the privilege to speak freely, think about that, if they say something wrong, or have an opinion that in the eye’s of their government is wrong, then they will be punished. Freedom of speech allows to have any opinion we want, even if it’s an unpopular opinion, we can still have that opinion. Or maybe we don’t like something about the government, we can go against the government, and stand up to them, and we won’t be persecuted. Many countries punish those who speak against the government. Though at one point we did not have freedom of speech, the Sedition act of 1798, which stated that anyone who goes against the government, or have malicious writings about the government would either be fined or imprisoned. I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."-Evelyn Beatrice Hall, 1906
We are Americans, and we demand our rights. And no right is more glorified in our modern society than the fundamental right to “freedom of speech”. American’s believe that their freedom to express their thoughts and beliefs as well as to openly question the government is essential to preserving the rest of their beloved rights. Fortunately for outspoken America, their freedom to speak freely is explicitly protected in the constitution. The first Amendment clearly states that the “Congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech”.
"What is at stake here it the right to read and be exposed to controversial, thoughts and language. The most effective antidote to the poison of mindless orthodoxy is ready access to a broad sweep of ideas and philosophies. There is no danger in such exposure. The danger is mind control especially when that control is exercised by a few over the majority" (qtd. in Hunt
There cannot be too much free speech, the more the better. Everyone everywhere should always have the right to say whatever they want. People should also be allowed to argue with people whose opinions the dislike. People can stop talking to someone who they consider offensive, they can walk away. Words don’t hurt people, despite the current popular opinion. Free speech should not be limited by anything it should just be free. Some people will say horrible things, but when they say such things to other people, people will think that they are horrible, and not listen to them anymore. Laws against saying certain thing don’t protect anyone, all they do is hide the true nature of people, until it is too late to do
Freedom of speech has many positive things, one of which is the help it gives on decision-making. Thanks to freedom of speech it is possible to express personal ideas without fear or restraints; therefore, all the perspectives and options will be on the table, giving people more opportunities to choose from. Nevertheless, everything in life has a limit, and the limit of freedom of speech depends directly on the consideration of the rights of others. People is free of believing what they want, thinking what they want, and even saying what they want, everything as long as they do not intrude or violate anyone else's rights. Under certain circumstances freedom of speech should be limited, and this is more than just a political action, this acts represent the urge for tolerance and the need for respect.
Unlike other places as I mentioned before, where the government controls what you put in the internet and you can't criticize the government. In the article “Free Speech” written by, ACLU. The writers mention how you can say anything you want and be protected because you have that right. “Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom”. Strictly speaking, the author is saying that freedom of speech is something necessary because it's a way we can express ourselves. I think that it is also necessary because we should be able to say what we want, we aren't robots that are not allowed to express