Freedom Of Speech Should Be Protected By The First Amendment In The Constitution

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One of the most important civil liberties held by Americans is the freedom of speech. In recent years, many incidences involving hate speech towards certain groups have brought up the debate regarding how far the freedom of speech goes. Hate speech is defined as language that harms another human based on their race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation (Demaske). Despite differences of views, hate speech is still speech made by fellow Americans, and should be protected by the First Amendment in the Constitution. The first amendment has helped America thrive throughout the years and it would be wrongful to place limiting restrictions.
In 1776, America’s constitution was written to help protect the citizens from an oppressing government. Its first addition states, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” This applies to everyone living in the country. One instance of this being argues against was during the case, Skokie v. National Socialist Party of America. A group of neo-Nazis …show more content…
In 1965, America was in the midst of the Vietnam War, a controversial decision throughout the country. Six students, the Tinkers and Eckhardt, decided to wear black armbands to school to protest the war. As a result, they were suspended for wearing the armbands and the childrens’ fathers decided to file a lawsuit against the school board. The Nation decided that the First Amendment still applied in schools and the school could not suspend the students for expressing their views (Friedman). Every person has individual views and all should be able to demonstrate them. By punishing those who don’t share the same mindset it is just as bad as the those who use hate speech against minority groups who differ in ideas. We know that people are being allowed their other liberties based on being able to use the First
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