The First Amendment allows United States citizens to express themselves freely through speech, writing, verbal, and symbolic representation. Freedom of Expression has been a controversial subject amongst Americans. Factors such as hate crimes and emotional distress caused by the expression of others have supported the debate. Freedom of Expression is broken down into the 8 theories listed below.
8 Values of Free Expression
1. Market Place of Ideas
This value was first introduced by John Milton, who suggests that if truths and lies coexist, the truth will eventually overpower. The theory argues that it is better to leave the tension between a truth and a lie because it builds more value on the truth. Today, this theory can be applied to the increasing influence of famous actors or influencers on social media and how their impacts affect youth. Those with influential power tend to promote their lavish lifestyles by creating content, wearing or owning flashy accessories, traveling, etc. However, many lies remain behind the screen, and fans never let them go unnoticed.
In 2021-2022, Hilaria Baldwin was accused of "impersonating a Spanish person." For as long as she has been in the spotlight, Baldwin has posted content claiming she is originally from Mallorca, Spain, and spoke with a Spanish accent. Twitter users unfolded the news online, revealing Baldwin's true lineage. It was discovered that Baldwin was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and when she was twenty-seven, her parents moved to Mallorca. Additionally, through old yearbooks and MySpace accounts, Baldwin's real name was uncovered to be Hillary.
Baldwin eventually addressed the cultural appropriation accusations after endless backlash through an Instagram post admitting she was born in Boston but frequently traveled to Spain, grew up in a bilingual household, and is white. This identity hoax example demonstrates how the truth always prevails.
2. Participation in Self-Government
Would elections be fair if candidates and proponents are restricted from communicating their positions on specific policies? No. Participation in Self-Government theory focuses on free speech, suggesting that citizens will only make wise and informed decisions in elections if candidates are allowed to disclose their positions on specific policies.
Restricting political candidates would prevent them from expressing their visions, supported policies, and actions. The public cannot make an accurate decision if this information is withheld from them. Political officials are elected by the people, and taking away the candidate's ability to communicate takes away the voices of the public.
In the late 1990s, a political sex scandal involving President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky takes America by surprise. Monica transferred to a job at the Pentagon, where she confided in a coworker, Linda Tripp, who recorded their conversations about the affair. Clinton denied the relationship but later admitted to "inappropriate intimate physical contact." The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice. The Senate acquitted Clinton, and he was able to complete his term. This scandal impacted those involved tremendously, but because they were allowed to express their stories, the people were entitled to decide their fate in office.
3. Stable Change
A society that allows citizens who are angry and alienated to speak their minds permits stability, as people will be less likely to resort to violence. If Americans frequently had outbursts or weren't allowed to express the good and the bad, our society would get frustrated. Suppressing voices could result in an overthrow of the government. Hearing our voices benefits the government by allowing them to monitor potentially dangerous groups.
The March For Our Lives Movement, founded by X González, Cameron Kasky, David Hogg, and Jackie Corin, began after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people. The students were quick to demand action for gun control from elected officials, and hundreds of March For Our Lives chapters have emerged.
4. Individual Self-Fulfillment
Free Expression connects to Self-Actualization by allowing individuals to create their own identities. Individuals expressing themselves verbally and through their artifacts: clothing, jewelry, etc., let people build relationships by meeting others with similar qualities. A society that has open dialogue will form groups and provide direction.
5. Check on Governmental Power
Ourselves and the press work together to create the check-and-balance system to restrain government power and abuse of power. Watergate and Clintongate, two major government scandals, were exposed through the media, informing Americans about their illegal activities. American citizens have a say in who governs them, and the people determine what happens to government officials when scandals or collusion occur. Therefore, officials could not be reelected, impeached, or removed.
6. Promote Tolerance
Extending protection to speech that we think is malicious, or personally upsetting is crucial to society. Speech teaches us to be tolerant and strong. The First Amendment protects hate speech because it's vital to society to learn valuable lessons. It allows people to determine if certain speech is worthy of condemnation, and spreads norms about acceptable behavior.
7. Promote Innovation
8. Protect Dissent
Dissent permits Americans to criticize the government, a strongly protected right under the First Amendment. Dissent protects all minority views, and we must criticize the government. Without criticism, the government would move in a direction we might not approve of.
What is most important?
I believe all eight theories serve a purpose in keeping American society operating. Personally, I think promoting tolerance, protecting dissent, and checking on governmental power is crucial. No matter what, there will always be someone offended by what people say, and banning speech will control how we speak and think, which is why dissent should be protected. Dissent gives us the right to criticize the government and prevent government control, also why it's important to check on governmental power. If citizens weren't allowed to know what was happening in government, the government could do whatever they want.
