Post 5- Eight Values of Free Expression

               

  

              Within the freedom of speech and thought, there are eight main values of free expression, those being: Market Place of Ideas, Participation in Self Government, Stable Change, Individual Self Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Power, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation, and Protect Dissent. A crucial and fundamental part of being an American is the idea and belief of freedom of expression. The power to think and speak the way you want to without fear of government retaliation or censorship. Tying into that is the idea of promoting tolerance which explains that in societies where people are allowed to voice their opinions, even when they're unpopular "hurtful," the general public becomes more tolerant and accepting of hearing ideas even if they don't agree with them. 

              The ability to speak one's mind without repercussion for one's stance on a matter is a pillar of American ideals. It's the allowance of discourse between two opposing people that society can get a clear understanding of the sides and learn why one is inappropriate and should be ruled out, it's part of how a society is able to learn and grow with what's right and wrong. If a community didn't have the ability to express all ideas, those extremest thoughts would still be simmering under the surface until one day it comes to light and those negative and hurtful ideals "bubble over" and it's too late. But with Promoting Tolerance and allowing that freedom of speech society is able to get all ideas heard and expressed and then rule out the negative detrimental ones through spreading social norms that make something an outrageous concept that is condemned from society. 

                A real-life example of this can be seen in what's referred to as "Cancel Culture," which is society's way of having a check and balance for what is and isn't acceptable or tolerable. Many public figures have had their status fall due to this phenomenon. Its typically caused by acts that aren't necessarily illegal but are deeply frowned upon by the general public; so instead of celebrities facing legal percussions, they typically face a deficit socially in which brands, sponsorships, and publications will drop and try to distance themselves from the public figures especially if they have been associated in the past. Back in 2019, Saturday Night Live announced that comedian Shane Gillis would be joining the cast. Although shortly after the announcement, SNL quickly revoke his role on the shows as social media was blowing up with many inflammatory clips of Gillis's past stand up in which he makes a few off-color jokes poking fun at Chinese Americans and LGBTQ+ people. It was then that Shane Gillis was "canceled" and SNL released the following statement distancing and separating themselves from him to save their public image:

"We were not aware of his prior remarks that have surfaced over the past few days. The language he used is offensive, hurtful and unacceptable. We are sorry that we did not see these clips earlier, and that our vetting process was not up to our standard."- SNL

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/08/us/2019-canceled-stories-trnd/index.html

https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/12/30/20879720/what-is-cancel-culture-explained-history-debate       

Post 4- Anti War

                War is a highly controversial and contentious topic. Deciding to engage and take part in conflict is a major choice "rulers" and governments make. Referring to American history and our decisions to take part in foreign affairs, many are divided on whether or not it's a good idea. After the founding of our country, many wished to stay out of wars since we had just declared independence and fought our own war against Britain. Even our first President, George Washington was anti-foreign affairs and getting involved with other country's conflicts. When leaving office that was one of the things he warned against, not to get caught up with war and intervene with other country's issues and interests. Yet, regardless of that, not too late after Washington retired, America became involved in France's fight for independence. 

                Considering the state of our nation now and our involvement with countries globally, Washington would not be pleased. The U.S has become entangled in many disputes throughout the world that we had and have no had business getting involved in, specifically in the early 1900s, during WWI American citizens first began to hold anti-war sentiments. The general public disagreed with the government and their decision to become involved in WWI and so citizens began to speak out negatively, which only made the government upset. In response to anti-war sentiments, the government passed the 1917 Espionage Act which silenced Americans and punished anyone who spoke negatively against the government and America's involvement in the war. This being inherently unconstitutional created a lot of tension in the U.S and fear around whether or not citizens had power for their voices to be heard and respected. After all, one of the bedrock principles of our democracy is to be able to criticize the government without fear of relation, this concept is more widely known as a Market Place of Ideas.      

                 Over time, the Espionage Act was deemed unconstitutional and the government is no longer allowed to silence you or throw you in jail for speaking against it. Today America upholds Market Place of Ideas and freedom to have meaningful discourse and criticize those in power... however it is hard to find alternative voices and sources that aren't as mainstream. In the digital age, it can appear that there are only one-sided opinions and it can be difficult to find less popular opinions. This is almost done purposely, the government wants to make it harder for you to think for yourself and create your own ideas about things because they don't want you to have an opinion opposite of theirs. So, although the government isn't silencing people for their anti-war views, they are censoring and making those ideas harder to be heard and expressed. 

Sources:

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1045/espionage-act-of-1917

https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-farewell-address-warnings

Post 3- Six Freedoms in Relation to Black Lives Matter Protests

Black Lives Matter.

            Looking at the uproar and social injustice movement that has re-sparked after the death of George Floyd in the summer, there have been many protests across the country against police brutality. Most of which have been peaceful although the media likes to portray otherwise. According to an article by the Times, 93% of Black Lives Matter protests have been peaceful. With the other 7% only escalating after protesters have been prompted by police engagements and interference with protesters FA right to protest peacefully.

            Considering the BLM protests that did get more violent it was after protesters had been spurred on by police using unnecessary force using weapons such as "tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray or beating demonstrators with batons — in over 54% of the demonstrations in which they have engaged." Police even used this excessive force on journalists documenting the events, it's at this point that many people began to wonder if their FA rights were under attack. 

            In regard to the peaceful demonstrations, protesters were within and protected under their FA right to peacefully protest and assemble. Although the cases where stores were burned down and looted, protesters exploited and took advantage of the FA and those actions were not and are not permitted under FA protections. 

            As a whole, it is important to understand that the protests were not inherently violent and in the instances in which the protests turned violent, it was a response rather than initiating it as such. America needs to get better at communicating and listening to each other efficiently with open minds in a way where we can have meaningful discourse and learn from each other, after all this is one of the fundamental principles our country was founded on.