WHAT does the First Amendment and cafeteria food have in common? Freedom of expression! Matter of time in freedom of speech
The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law 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."
These four rights combined are as one, the right to freedom of expression. Because the founders thought these rights were so important, we now can express our ideas and beliefs openly.
Freedom of expression allows us to communicate with others, which contributes to individual growth and human dignity. It helps to advance knowledge and is a necessary part of our representative government. It helps bring peaceful social change and protects our rights at the same time.
We use freedom of expression in our everyday lives, whether we're at school, at home or at the store.
Even though we are entitled to express ourselves however we please, there are some limitations to our freedom. These limitations are known as time, place and manner restrictions. These limit when, where and how we speak, not what we choose to say. The difficult question is to decide when our freedom of expression is limited, and when it is not.
An example of deciding when our freedom of expression is limited is happening at my school. Recently, a 7th grader wrote an article for our intermediate newsletter, "Kaleo O Kahuku," concerning the cafeteria food. He stated "the kitchen isn't sanitary" and complained and voiced his opinion about the food.
After reading the article, the cafeteria workers got upset. They told the business manager that they try their best and that they have rights too. The business manager then told the newsletter supervisor (a new 8th grade teacher) that apologies needed to be made.
Many of the faculty and students thought that Mrs. Albert, our school principal, wanted the student to apologize to the cafeteria staff. In actuality, Mrs. Albert felt that there wasn't any need for apologies.
SHOULD this 7th-grade boy have used his freedom of expression this way, or should his freedom have been limited? Should the article have been put in the newsletter in the first place? These are questions many have different feelings about.
Some think that the boy should have voiced his complaints in a nicer manner, yet others think that what was said was completely acceptable because he voiced what he and his classmates were thinking.
This student had some adults upset at him. As a result, will this 7th grader ever want to use his freedom of expression again or will he be afraid to use it because of this incident?
The founders of the United States understood that freedom of expression is very important. This right needs to be protected from government interference.
In the past, governments had often limited freedom of expression to stop people from criticizing their decisions and actions. Benjamin Franklin said, "Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech."
I believe that, yes, our freedom of expression should be limited at certain times, but that sometimes it may be limited too much.
Students have the ability to say, "We want no more homework for a year!" or "No more school for two months!" even though it will never happen.
If we have an opinion that won't infringe upon the rights of others, then we should be able to voice that opinion, whether we're saying that cafeteria food is gross or not! And thanks to all the founders, freedom of expression allows us to do just that! - - -
Brook Barker attends Kahuku High and Intermediate School. Her essay won the ACLU "Freedom of Expression" contest for 8th graders. Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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