Limitations that Freedom of Speech Should Have

Freedom of speech should have some limitations. The American people should have the right to say whatever they want, but to an extent. Whether it is on signs or verbally some things should not be expressed. The United States is well known for being “the home of the free,” but some people take their freedom a bit too far. People can burn flags, protest at military funerals, even use the “n” word and watching pornography in libraries.

To start off, our country has come so far since September 11th, but right after caused a state of confusion with the entire nation. While it has only been 12 years since it has happened, it had caused my husband’s family to move away from their home in Oak Lawn. During that whole week after there was a bunch of people burning the American flag and starting riots right by where my husband had lived. These events occurred in a Taco Bell parking lot on 95th Street. The initial reaction would have had to have been, what is happening? Ultimately, it made his family feel unsafe and his family moved to Mokena the following year (Demas). During that time if a person was Muslim or looked close to them, people would question them. Still to this day there are people who are uncomfortable being around Islamic people. The world still is very unsafe. That September morning changed the world, it also changed friendships. There was this girl who I used to be best friends with, her name was Dagmara. She was born in Poland and after September 11th, she made remarks such as: “America deserved it” and “How America is so spoiled.” I heard these remarks when I was in 6th grade. I couldn’t comprehend exactly what she meant at the time. Looking back though, I realize how disgusting it was to make those remarks, no innocent...

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...wed. The United States of America’s military has fought to provide freedom, but some freedoms should be common sense and should be taken seriously.

Works Cited

Anderson, Taylor W. "Orland Park Library Pleads the First." Chicago Tribune. 07 Nov. 2013: 5. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.

Biskupic, Joan. "Protest at Military Funeral Ignites a Test of Free Speech." USA TODAY. 30 Aug. 2010: A.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.

Demas, Timothy. Personal interview. 10 Mar. 2014.

Foner, Eric. “Dare Call it Treason.” The Elements of Argument. Ed. Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. 689-690. Print.

Poniewozik, James. “The Imus Fallout: Who Can Say What?” The Elements of Argument. Ed. Annette T. Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. 691-695. Print.