Free Speech Essay, Research Paper
When the framers of the United States Constitution drew up the first amendment, they made an emphasis on free speech. Included in this first amendment were the freedom of the press, freedom of religion, right to assembly, and the prohibition of censorship. In this essay, the topic of hate-filled speech and its relation to the first amendment will be examined. For starters, the topic of hate-filled speeches at college campuses will be shown. In addition, the fact of whether or not there should be limits on free speech is reviewed. Finally, the views of philosopher Immanuel Kant will be incorporated.
At college campuses throughout the nation, groups are being formed that are centered on the discrimination of race, sex, or creed. The fundamental question concerning these groups remains, should they be allowed to form? If so, should they be given the right to speak? The answer to this is open to everyone s interpretation. There is no answer to this that will please everyone. However, if we look back on the Constitution, we will find that these groups should be allowed to form and speak. The framers of the Constitution did not specify that the first amendment did not apply to people of poor taste. They also did not say that there must be one vantage point for the entire nation. This was a major reason that the colonists wanted to form a nation of their own, one that would encourage the free exchange of ideas, no matter how strange or distasteful.
When people hear groups that preach hatred and discrimination, they instantly want them to be banned. The Religious Conservatives demand for censorship or legal
Sheeder 3
action. However, this is not legal. If all they are doing is speaking, then they should be allowed to do so. Just because someone is speaking, it doesn t mean that we as citizens have to listen. The best thing to do is ignore these people. All that gets accomplished by bringing their names in front of the press is that they become a legitimate organization.
I don t think that Nazis are right. Their treatment of Jews during World War II involves some of the most disgusting and horrifying acts that mankind has ever seen. However, that does not give us the right to shut off their message. The way to defeat their message is to teach our children that this type of organization is not morally acceptable. In fact, if we begin to outlaw and censor every aspect of media that we do not agree with, we will begin to resemble the early stages of Hitler s Nazi Germany or Stalin s Communist Russia. Censorship is the first step to empires such as these.
However, when these groups speech becomes and endangerment to our society, this is when they should be shut off. When a speech by a Nazi results in an angry mob that claims hundreds of lives, this is an example of free speech gone too far. However, we must be careful not to cross the line between protection and infringement of rights.
The best way to combat hate groups and their speech is through education. This pertains not only to educating your children, but other children as well. A major reason that civilization appears to be getting out of hand is that we have stopped educating and started banning. It seems to be much easier to take someone to court to stop his or her message rather than to fight that message through education. A prime example of this is the movie The People vs. Larry Flynt. The film, which shows the court cases involving Hustler Magazine founder and editor Larry Flynt, can serve as a clear example of
Sheeder 4
protecting the first amendment. Flynt s lawyer, played by Edward Norton, explains to the Supreme Court that although many people do not agree with Hustler s portrayal of nude women and sexual language, we cannot simply censor this material due to poor taste. Although the framers may not have anticipated profanity such as Two Live Crew s music, I do not think that they would choose to ban it either. When the subject of censorship becomes due to someone s personal interpretation, we as a nation are headed for trouble.
Finally, the philosophy of several authors will be discussed. Immanuel Kant was an 18th Century German Philosopher who authored such works as Critique of Pure Reason and The Metaphysics of Ethics, was a believe of critical reasoning. Kant believed that people should live their lives in accordance with the laws of pure reason Kant 317). Kant also said that people s individual freedoms must be protected. If people are banning someone s beliefs based solely on the fact that they do not agree with them, then this is not in accordance with pure reason. If a person is to believe with Kant s philosophy, then they would say that everyone should be heard. In fact, a popular message should be heard, but an unpopular message should be given every opportunity to speak that the popular message was given. People may then be allowed to believe or denounce these speeches.
All in all, free speech and the first amendment that binds it is the most controversial and key amendments to the entire United States Constitution. Despite the fact that hate groups may say things that are unpopular or even horrifying to nearly all of us, this does not give us the right to shut off their voices. Even the small percentages of
Sheeder 5
people who believe these sickening speeches have rights. Poor taste does not equal a forfeiture of all civil rights. We as a nation must ensure these civil rights for all citizens, or the affects of censorship may become a threat to us all.
Другие работы по теме:
Free Speech Essay Research Paper The United
Free Speech Essay, Research Paper The United States is recognized and admired all over the world, as a representative of liberty and civil rights. The First Amendment to the US constitution, presented in the Bill of Rights passed by Congress on September 25, 1789 and ratified December 15,1791, discusses religious and political freedom.
MadeUp Nixon Speech Essay Research Paper My
Made-Up Nixon Speech Essay, Research Paper My fellow Americans, I come to you tonight to ask for a hand to lend in my aide. I know that a great number of the silent majority would like to see the Vietnam war to finally come to a close. And, because of my campaign promise, I am standing here tonight to inform you that I have a plan of action that I shall use to uphold that promise.
Kujfgkg Essay Research Paper Here it is
Kujfgkg Essay, Research Paper Here it is, February already! Damn! This year is flyin by like a car hit bum! It’s also time for me to be campaigning for president again. So far so good. In New Hampshire, I spent not one cent and Gary Bauer spent 800 thousand bucks only to get 324 votes more than I did!
Journalism Essay Research Paper While Burl Osborne
Journalism Essay, Research Paper While Burl Osborne is a strong believer in the right to free speech, he said that ” the urge to censor is the reaction of well-intended people to the expression of views that they find repugnant.”
Poem Destiny Essay Research Paper Sometimes I
Poem: Destiny Essay, Research Paper Sometimes I wonder if life is just meant to be If we have not a choice in the matter, or we really are free I walked down the street on one fine day
1St Amendment Essay Research Paper HE FIRST
1St Amendment Essay, Research Paper HE FIRST AMENDMENT “Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Speech Of Tribute Essay Research Paper I
Speech Of Tribute Essay, Research Paper I can remember a time in my life that we all can refer to. A time when the world seemed too big to get a grasp on, too big for it to see you. I believed it would swallow me whole? but as you can see, it didn?t. Remember when we were young and our hopes were high, our goals and dreams seemed untouchable? Sure you do, I remember.
The Constitution Essay Research Paper Congress shall
The Constitution Essay, Research Paper Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of Religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, this Amendment is the most important part of the constitution. Without free speech, we the people of the United States would not be able to speak openly and freely about issues that affect our everyday life.
I Have A Dream (MLK) (A Speech
Summary) Essay, Research Paper On August 28, 1963 on the steps of Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., one of the most profound civil rights Leaders recited a speech for all to live by. Martin Luther King Jr. was the man who made history that day in 1963, with the world-renowned speech ?I have a Dream?.
Freedom Essay Research Paper Free to me
Freedom Essay, Research Paper Free to me means that you have no restrictions, no laws, and no boundaries controlling you. You can do basically what you want, when you want. If people were to follow my idea of freedom though, the world would be a chaotic place to live.
Effects Of The Speeches Of Brutus And
Antony Essay, Research Paper Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s greatest works. It’s about a group of conspirators who kill their king, Julius, in order to be free. Antony, opposed to the assassination, felt that he should avenge Julius’s death. He delivered a speech that convinced the Romans that the murder was unjust, invoking their rebellion.
Antony Speech Analysis Essay Research Paper Emotional
Antony Speech Analysis Essay, Research Paper Emotional Speech Analysis William Shakespeare?s ?Julius Caesar? is a well-written stage play. Shakespeare included many good speeches in his plays; one of the best was the one delivered by Antony. Antony?s speech came very shortly after Julius Caesar?s death, and the city was in much chaos.
The Movies Essay Research Paper The speaker
The Movies Essay, Research Paper The speaker in the movie viewed in class on February 5, 2001 gave a very good presentation on the procedures performed during C.P.R. and the benefits of knowing this life saving procedure. Although the speech was audience capturing, there were a few improvements that would have helped improve her presentation.
Bc Speech Assignment Essay Research Paper Research
Bc Speech Assignment Essay, Research Paper Research Assignment #4 Your fourth speech is a research-based persuasive speech. Since your primary goal will be to convince your audience to take a specific action your research burden is higher. Your research is due via email on the date listed on your course schedule.
Persuasive Speech Essay Research Paper Christopher AdairPersuasive
Persuasive Speech Essay, Research Paper Christopher Adair Persuasive Speech To begin with I need an attention getter, so I thought I would get their attention by vaguely suggesting something about a decision everyone has to make when they are sixteen. From there I will tell everyone how and why I am qualified to give this presentation, and why it is important to listen to what I have to say.
Filtered Speech Experiment Essay Research Paper Filtered
Filtered Speech Experiment Essay, Research Paper Filtered Speech Experiment Purpose The purpose of the filtered speech experiment was to look for three things. The first was to see/hear which frequencies can be eliminated from speech signal and conversely which frequencies can not in order to understand speech.
Areopagitica By Milton Essay Research Paper What
Areopagitica By Milton Essay, Research Paper What is the meaning of virtue? Milton answers this question in his speech Areopagitica. Milton will dicuss his meaning of virtue and show his anger at
John Rocker
’s Suspension Essay, Research Paper Philosophy Ethical Theories Topic 1 An argument can be made that Major League Baseball s decision to suspend John Rocker from baseball due to his expressing bigoted views in a magazine interview is not right. This argument states that free speech is an important moral value, and since John Rocker has the right to free speech, suspending him for expressing his bigoted views violates the spirit of free speech.
Filtering The Net Essay Research Paper Filtering
Filtering The Net Essay, Research Paper Filtering the Net Over the last several years many attempts have been made to put a limit on what can be viewed on the Internet. In 1996, it was the Communications Decency Act and in 1999 the Child Online Protection Act. Both were shot down because they were said to violate the first amendment right to free speech.
Prom Speech Essay Research Paper 2000 SpeechWhen
Prom Speech Essay, Research Paper 2000 Speech When we were younger, we couldn t wait to graduate from high school and be done with school. Well, now it s here and we are still pretty exited to be finished, but graduation has taken on a whole new meaning for us.
America Has Become Too Free Essay Research
Paper America is the free-land, according to everyone who lives in this nation. Also, within the society, the freedom of speech has become eminently freer, which is surveyed through the profusion of music, movies, books, and the other aspects of culture contributed in our society today. But how free is too free? The society we live in which violence is largely contributed in those numerous forms of entertainment could be influencing the uprising in crimes across the U.S.
The Effects Of The Speeches Of Brutus
And Anthony Essay, Research Paper The Effects of the Speeches of Brutus and Antony Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s greatest works. It’s about a group of conspirators who kill their king, Julius, in order to be free. Antony, opposed to the assassination, felt that he should avenge Julius’s death. He delivered a speech that convinced the Romans that the murder was unjust, invoking their rebellion.
Speech Essay Research Paper There are two
Speech Essay, Research Paper There are two opposite points of view to this problem. One side suggests not to place any cods on speech on campuses of college institutions and another side strongly believes that speech must be protected by law. Mrs. Jennifer Kelley is following position of free speech in the article called Speech Codes Should Not Be Permitted on Campuses.
Hate Speech And The First Amendment Essay
, Research Paper On college campuses today the debate rages to limit certain kinds of speech that is racists and sexist, some students say that they have a right to say what ever they what because of the First Amendment and doing so will a volition of this right, but this kind of speech threatens the rights of minorities and dose let them engage in the leering process.
The Inaugural Speech Essay Research Paper PAID
The Inaugural Speech Essay, Research Paper PAID ADVERTISEMENT Summary of President John F. Kennedy s Inaugural Address This inaugural speech establishes what John F. Kennedy s vision is for the United States–actually
Free Speech And Free Action Essay Research
Paper Free Speech and Free Action Freedom of speech differs from freedom of action. But speech and action are so closely interwoven in human behavior that it’s not always immediately obvious which is which. Thus it’s not surprising that we often criminalize speech as well as, or even instead of, the action that it accompanies.
Gunther Essay Research Paper Freedom of speech
Gunther Essay, Research Paper Freedom of speech is the right to speak and write without fear of government limitations. In the United States freedom of speech and press are commonly called freedom of expression. Both freedoms are protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. However, freedom of expression in colleges all around the United States is limited very often.
What Freedom Of Speech Means To Me
Essay, Research Paper WHAT FREEDOM OF SPEECH MEANS TO ME The Bill of Rights states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or profiting 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.” This is quite possibly the amendment that makes the United States the democratic and orderly country it is.
Cry For Freedom Essay Research Paper Cry
Cry For Freedom Essay, Research Paper Cry for FreedomAlthough Patrick Henry and Martin Luther King, Jr. are both skilled orators and use similar rhetorical devices to appeal to their audiences, they call for freedom for two totally different kinds of people. Both Patrick Henry and Martin Luther King, Jr. show their strengths as speakers through their use of these rhetorical devices.
Demonstration Critique Essay Research Paper Demonstration Critique
Demonstration Critique Essay, Research Paper Demonstration Critique During my demonstration speech, I was affected by my speech anxiety. Some of the viewable symptoms were the shaking of my hands and also the stuttering of speech. I was able to control myself and relax after I started getting into my information.
The World Essay Research Paper In an
The World Essay, Research Paper In an important speech, oral delivery is key, ingredients to oral delivery are tone, volume, rate, enthusiasm and clarity, how
What Price Freedom Essay Research Paper What
What Price Freedom? Essay, Research Paper What is the price for FREEDOM? It’s is obvious that the price for freedom is not free but that it is rather large. After obtaining freedom, we look back and wonder was it worth it? Was freedom overpriced? In other words, did we sacrifice and pay too much to be free?