The importance and values of free expression
The First Amendment is perhaps one of the most crucially essential rights we have as U.S. citizens. Benedict Spinoza's Tractatus-Theologico Politicus suggests that a society where the government censors speech, is correlated to higher rates of violence. On the other hand, a society where citizens are granted the right to say whatever he or she fancies enables the government to better monitor potentially dangerous groups.
Let's take the Covington Catholic High School example for instance—the young men involved have faced immense backlash on the basis of their devotion to Christianity, their support for President Donald Trump, and the color of their skin.
The young men, who were in Washington to participate in the March For Life, stood outside the Lincoln Memorial for their school bus. However, the mainstream media, CNN in particular, claim that these boys surrounded and terrorized Native American activist Nathan Phillips, but as well all know, or at least myself, this was proven to be a farce.
Watch the video of one Nick Sandmann, of the young men involved in the Covington Catholic High School controversy here:
The fact of the matter is that both parties involved are entitled to their own dialogue. And despite the moral implications surrounding this dilemma, the First Amendment protects all forms of speech, even hate speech. Currently, the Covington Catholic men involved are in the pursuit of suing CNN for $250 million for "vicious" and "direct attacks" following the past incident. Other news networks including Washington post is also involved.
It is important to note that the First Amendment does not in fact protect your speech absolutely without exceptions. So perhaps, running around your workplace as you arbitrarily blurt the n-word is NOT the grandest idea. Just a thought.
Similarly to Spinoza, C. Edwin Baker's Human Liberty and Freedom of Speech expresses the idea that "free speech allows us to express themselves and thereby create their own identity—and, in the process perhaps, find kindred spirits." And for me, this is most definitely applicable to my life.
Currently, or at least in my opinion, it is commonly found that other individuals will show absolutely no mercy to those who have differing opinions from his or her own. I personally HEAVILY resonate with Baker's concept of free speech, especially because I am a huge advocate for expressing my political ideology. But alas, I have been nearly castrated for my outspokenness for my support on issues pertaining to the pro-life movement, the Second Amendment, being against modern-day feminism, or most importantly, my overwhelming support for President Donald Trump.
I have had an individual (yes—this individual was liberal) tell me that I should not support our president on the basis of being a female. Oh, and let me add that this one particular individual was male.
There's word for this: sexism. Doesn't that contradict the liberal's agenda of promoting so-called "equality" on all fronts? Yes, it most certainly does.
Likewise to being a female, I suppose in the mind's of liberals, I should especially feel like a "victim" because by definition, I am bi-racial. Growing up half-asian, half-caucasian, I never felt that one side of my racial identity was more important than the other. My mother, who originates from the Philippines, celebrated her culture through cooking various traditional meals, and before I became vegan, I gladly ate them. Conversely, my father, who is primarily Italian, would celebrate his culture through a variety of Italian recipes and traditions, especially on holidays.
I am proud of BOTH sides of my racial identity. But, of course, I face constant criticism because my racial identity does not match my political beliefs as a young conservative woman (don't forget that I'm vegan). I've had a person-of-color tell me that because since I am bi-racial, I shouldn't support our president. Doesn't that sound just a tad racist, or is that just me?
Free speech is undoubtedly one of the most important rights we have as American citizens, and although I face frequent backlash, I still stand strong.
I am proud to be a young, bi-racial conservative (and vegan) woman, even if I'm considered a rare breed.
Let's take the Covington Catholic High School example for instance—the young men involved have faced immense backlash on the basis of their devotion to Christianity, their support for President Donald Trump, and the color of their skin.
The young men, who were in Washington to participate in the March For Life, stood outside the Lincoln Memorial for their school bus. However, the mainstream media, CNN in particular, claim that these boys surrounded and terrorized Native American activist Nathan Phillips, but as well all know, or at least myself, this was proven to be a farce.
Watch the video of one Nick Sandmann, of the young men involved in the Covington Catholic High School controversy here:
The fact of the matter is that both parties involved are entitled to their own dialogue. And despite the moral implications surrounding this dilemma, the First Amendment protects all forms of speech, even hate speech. Currently, the Covington Catholic men involved are in the pursuit of suing CNN for $250 million for "vicious" and "direct attacks" following the past incident. Other news networks including Washington post is also involved.
It is important to note that the First Amendment does not in fact protect your speech absolutely without exceptions. So perhaps, running around your workplace as you arbitrarily blurt the n-word is NOT the grandest idea. Just a thought.
Similarly to Spinoza, C. Edwin Baker's Human Liberty and Freedom of Speech expresses the idea that "free speech allows us to express themselves and thereby create their own identity—and, in the process perhaps, find kindred spirits." And for me, this is most definitely applicable to my life.
Currently, or at least in my opinion, it is commonly found that other individuals will show absolutely no mercy to those who have differing opinions from his or her own. I personally HEAVILY resonate with Baker's concept of free speech, especially because I am a huge advocate for expressing my political ideology. But alas, I have been nearly castrated for my outspokenness for my support on issues pertaining to the pro-life movement, the Second Amendment, being against modern-day feminism, or most importantly, my overwhelming support for President Donald Trump.
I have had an individual (yes—this individual was liberal) tell me that I should not support our president on the basis of being a female. Oh, and let me add that this one particular individual was male.
There's word for this: sexism. Doesn't that contradict the liberal's agenda of promoting so-called "equality" on all fronts? Yes, it most certainly does.
Likewise to being a female, I suppose in the mind's of liberals, I should especially feel like a "victim" because by definition, I am bi-racial. Growing up half-asian, half-caucasian, I never felt that one side of my racial identity was more important than the other. My mother, who originates from the Philippines, celebrated her culture through cooking various traditional meals, and before I became vegan, I gladly ate them. Conversely, my father, who is primarily Italian, would celebrate his culture through a variety of Italian recipes and traditions, especially on holidays.
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| My parents and I during my high school prom in 2017. Image retrieved from images. |
I am proud of BOTH sides of my racial identity. But, of course, I face constant criticism because my racial identity does not match my political beliefs as a young conservative woman (don't forget that I'm vegan). I've had a person-of-color tell me that because since I am bi-racial, I shouldn't support our president. Doesn't that sound just a tad racist, or is that just me?
Free speech is undoubtedly one of the most important rights we have as American citizens, and although I face frequent backlash, I still stand strong.
I am proud to be a young, bi-racial conservative (and vegan) woman, even if I'm considered a rare breed.
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