The Importance of Knowledge About the First Amendment Rights
The First Amendment rights to the Constitution, are a Bill of Rights that grant all American citizens their freedoms. The First Amendment rights guarantee the freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly, and petition. What many Americans don't realize, is that these granted rights are so powerful. Similar to myself at the beginning of this study, many Americans have very vague and simple understanding what these rights mean. Though, now with more knowledgeable and a new perspective, I have discovered that these rights are more elaborate than one may think. While these rights are free to all American citizens, it is crucial that they are used in an educated way. I believe that it is important for Americans to truly comprehend the ins and outs of their rights, therefore they will have the capability of protecting themselves in vital situations.
As a student in the American public school system, it is very crucial to know that ones rights change in an out of school. The case of Tinker vs Des Moines, is an instance in which a pair of students knew their rights and were able to protect themselves. In this case, two students showed up to school wearing armbands that had peace signs on them to protest the Vietnam war. The students were then sent home because of a rule that the school established restricting symbols that protest the war. The father of the two kids then sued the school, it was then appealed to the Supreme Court. In a 7-2 vote the Supreme Court ruled that the students had the right to wear the armbands. They were protected under 'Symbolic Speech'. This is an excellent case that exemplifies our rights as students. The school had made their own rules, they were not protected under the First Amendment rights. These students went against those rules, and were rightfully protected. They were not disrupting anyone, or taking away from any students educational process. In this case, the students were educated about their rights and understood that their actions were protected. They fought back for what they believed, and even won the case. This is such a powerful example of Americans being educated about their rights and coming through in the end.
Though it is important to understand when one can freely express their rights it also valuable to know when those right may be taken away. The story of Debbie Almontaser and how the press abused their freedom of speech rights, is one that explains this perfectly. Debbie came from Yama and after teaching for 15 years in New York, she was asked to start an Arabic Language school. Though due to the sensitivity in New York, quite the controversy erupted over it. Further down the road, the press interviewed her about a misconception that was created about her and her job. The press soon released false articles that destroyed Debbie and her reputation. They took advantage of her identity and ruined her reputation for their acts. One may think that the press should be sued for libel and slander. Though in this case, Debbie was not protected rather the press was. Even though the press took her quotes out of context they were still quotes that she had said and given the press. It would have only been a claim of libel and slander if she would have never said anything to them at all. Therefore, unfortunately Debbie should have never said anything to the press, though because of a naïve knowledge of the First Amendment, her rights were snatched from her. I do feel this is a circumstance in which Debbie should have known that the press is granted the freedom to do what they did. Unfortunately, this is an instance in which the American citizen must have a very complex knowledge of the First Amendment to have prevented this action the press took. Though, this is why I believe that Americans should know their First Amendments throughly, especially if it means the difference in ones reputation and safety.
The First Amendment rights mean so many different things to each every American. The liberties that are granted us simply for being American, is what makes this country desirable to many across the globe. These rights are powers granted us, that should be used wisely and with care. As Americans, our actions should be expressed freely as they were meant to be, though with bounds that will keep them safe. I have realized through stories like Tinker vs Des Monies and Debbie Almontaser, that it is so essential to have a complex understanding of these rights. My hope for all Americans is that they can apprehend what I have about the First Amendment rights after these 7 weeks. These rights should not be taken advantage of and used with knowledge. Americans need to learn from these stories and be proactive about their rights. It is the responsibility of all American citizens to know their rights in and out, fore it may make a distinction whether or not they are protected.
As a student in the American public school system, it is very crucial to know that ones rights change in an out of school. The case of Tinker vs Des Moines, is an instance in which a pair of students knew their rights and were able to protect themselves. In this case, two students showed up to school wearing armbands that had peace signs on them to protest the Vietnam war. The students were then sent home because of a rule that the school established restricting symbols that protest the war. The father of the two kids then sued the school, it was then appealed to the Supreme Court. In a 7-2 vote the Supreme Court ruled that the students had the right to wear the armbands. They were protected under 'Symbolic Speech'. This is an excellent case that exemplifies our rights as students. The school had made their own rules, they were not protected under the First Amendment rights. These students went against those rules, and were rightfully protected. They were not disrupting anyone, or taking away from any students educational process. In this case, the students were educated about their rights and understood that their actions were protected. They fought back for what they believed, and even won the case. This is such a powerful example of Americans being educated about their rights and coming through in the end.
Though it is important to understand when one can freely express their rights it also valuable to know when those right may be taken away. The story of Debbie Almontaser and how the press abused their freedom of speech rights, is one that explains this perfectly. Debbie came from Yama and after teaching for 15 years in New York, she was asked to start an Arabic Language school. Though due to the sensitivity in New York, quite the controversy erupted over it. Further down the road, the press interviewed her about a misconception that was created about her and her job. The press soon released false articles that destroyed Debbie and her reputation. They took advantage of her identity and ruined her reputation for their acts. One may think that the press should be sued for libel and slander. Though in this case, Debbie was not protected rather the press was. Even though the press took her quotes out of context they were still quotes that she had said and given the press. It would have only been a claim of libel and slander if she would have never said anything to them at all. Therefore, unfortunately Debbie should have never said anything to the press, though because of a naïve knowledge of the First Amendment, her rights were snatched from her. I do feel this is a circumstance in which Debbie should have known that the press is granted the freedom to do what they did. Unfortunately, this is an instance in which the American citizen must have a very complex knowledge of the First Amendment to have prevented this action the press took. Though, this is why I believe that Americans should know their First Amendments throughly, especially if it means the difference in ones reputation and safety.
The First Amendment rights mean so many different things to each every American. The liberties that are granted us simply for being American, is what makes this country desirable to many across the globe. These rights are powers granted us, that should be used wisely and with care. As Americans, our actions should be expressed freely as they were meant to be, though with bounds that will keep them safe. I have realized through stories like Tinker vs Des Monies and Debbie Almontaser, that it is so essential to have a complex understanding of these rights. My hope for all Americans is that they can apprehend what I have about the First Amendment rights after these 7 weeks. These rights should not be taken advantage of and used with knowledge. Americans need to learn from these stories and be proactive about their rights. It is the responsibility of all American citizens to know their rights in and out, fore it may make a distinction whether or not they are protected.