Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Freedom of Speech
I am proud to have the rights given by the First Amendment. (Actually I am proud to have the rights of all the amendments but for the sake of the chapter I am just going to focus on the First Amendment.) Given the right of free speech is one of the biggest freedoms people can have (along with many other rights). Although I have the freedom of speech, there are some things that I would not say. I grew up being taught that you should treat others how you would want to be treated. I would not disrespect others by using sexist, racist, or another abusive language. To me, this kind of talk is unnecessary and disrespectful. So, with that said, the prompt asks if you would sign an agreement that asks you to refrain from using racist, sexist, and otherwise abusive language on campus in order to be accepted to the school. Personally, I think why wouldn’t someone sign an agreement saying they would not use racist, sexist, or abusive language? Is it really that hard to be respectful to other peoples sexuality, race, gender, or just in general, be respectful? For me, this agreement would be easy for me to sign. Although it may be restricting my freedom of speech, I do not talk down to anyone’s sexuality, race, or gender. I do not talk down to anyone period. The prompt asks to weight the social benefits of this agreement. I think this agreement will reduce prejudices and make people accept one another. It is really important that people do not judge each other. Prejudging is what affects our world today. People still live with prejudices and cannot accept others for who they are. Which is sad. But that is life. Not everyone has the same opinion about issues or ideas. People grow up learning things differently. That is something I can understand. But what I do not understand is why people would put others down because of their race, gender, or sexuality. It is disrespectful and unnecessary. So the agreement would be something I would sign because I would have no problem abiding by those rules. Not only would I sign it, I would encourage others to sign it as well. I am totally for freedom of expression just as long as it is in a tasteful way and under necessary conditions.
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Very interesting point of view on the prompt. I have a similar views and differing views. This is, like whenever talking about restricting the first amendment, a very slippery slope. You must know what sexist, racist, and abusive language. Define that type of language. You see, in the world of political correctness anything can be construed to be offensive to someone. In the end, I see this as ending up being one of the worst ideas one can ever have. What if you disagree with someone, what if you disagree with a policy at school? What if someone is being a jerk to you? Although it seems to have the best intentions, it severely falls short on defining what this abusive speech would consist of. I would not trust the sanctity of my first amendment to a poorly worded document. On the other hand, I do agree that words do have teeth and can really cause people/institutions much grief. There has to be a happy medium between an all encompassing restriction and free negative speech. It would be too difficult to define all the words that kids can think up that would be offensive to someone. There has to have been a time in your life when you were greatly offended by something another person had said. At that same time that you were offended I’m sure someone would not have been. So, what is offensive to one is not always offensive to another. What about the culture divide? What if abusive language in another culture is normal speech here? There are so many things to think about before kissing your freedom of speech goodbye. Great post as always and I look forward to reading next week’s topic!
ReplyDeleteAshlin,I would be wary of saying “Not only would I sign it, I would encourage others to sign it as well. I am totally for freedom of expression just as long as it is in a tasteful way and under necessary conditions.” This sounds like the reasoning of oppressive regimes. What if it was decided that it was distasteful for women to expose any part of their bodies, would you submit? It could be said that you would still have freedom - freedom to choose which chador to wear. Necessary conditions could be fabricated as an excuse for laws and regulations that violate simple human rights. If it was decided that it was sexually arousing to see a woman eat; would it be right to ban women from eating in public places. I exaggerate, but as in Reading Lolita in Tehran, women were banned from eating ice cream in public, so it can happen. As I said in another response “these people could even use this as a weapon to harass and oppress people they don’t like. The rest of us who ‘don’t understand how these people can be so bad’, would still be the victims”. Because no matter what system we adopt, there will always be those who will abuse it and use it to their advantage.
ReplyDeleteI see your point and I agree that hateful speech is not only damming to our society but sets us back in time. I argue thought that just as I want my voice to be heard as do they. Who is to say what we think is right ? I mean you and I agree but for every person who agrees another person wont. It’s unfair to silence the people we think are hateful and whose views we don’t agree with because we wouldn’t that to happen to us. I think people need to think for themselves and as long as violence isnt being used then everyone should have a voice. You mention respect and I fully agree people should respect on another and their values and thoughts and everything should be said in a respectful manner. But at the same token showing respect is allowing everyone to have a voice. Good post really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI wrote about the same thing and we both on agree on why wouldn't someone sign it. A school is a place of education, if someone is walking around talking like trash then they shouldn't be in school. School is a place where people come together to learn from each other and what can you learn with people speaking sexist, racist, or provocative languages. By setting regulations will protect other students of being offended. Everyone is a target for this matter, you could be any color size or shape. If someone does not want to sign an agreement then they should not ever go into public places where there are different people everywhere. They obviously have no respect for anyone and people like that are not liked in this society. I really enjoyed your blog and I completely agree with you on every level.=)I take this matter personally, because it has happened to me and I took it offensively.
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