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. It states in particular that there shall be no abridging of the freedom of speech, or of the press . More then two hundred years after its creation, is there a threat to the most famous and fundamental feature of American society?

According to John Leo of US News and World Report, the First Amendment is no longer exercised properly. People s attempts to be politically correct often prevail over the obligation to tolerate the expression of ideas and the right to debate. Mr. Leo states that the country has long been divided on the oppressed and those who oppress. Such perception leads to one-sided views aimed to protect victims . For example, the article, Not fit to Print? exposes the media non-coverage of the rape and murder of 13-year-old boy by two homosexual men. In addition, Ivy League Therapy as well as No-Speech culture Mr. Leo discusses David Horowitz s article that denounces the idea of paying reparations to the descendants of American slaves and the wide discontent it provoked among students on several campuses. Students are encouraged, Mr. Leo believes, to take criticism and people s ideas as an assault. Too many restrictions and separations lead to the difficulties in carrying out the First Amendment. This is illustrated in his recent publication Zones for all . His examples vary from separate graduation ceremonies for different minority groups, to city orders to take down the display of American flags at a gas station.

Being exposed to discomforting ideas is the price of freedom, argues Mr. Leo. I believe that Americans must learn that they do not have to support all they hear, but they must be able to hear what they do not support.