Freedom of Speech

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how freedom of speech has become not just a value, but also a core American belief. It looks at how embracing freedom of speech has become an overwhelming belief of constitutional importance. It also contends that even though freedom of speech may give authorization to say or do whatever we feel, which might not necessarily follow the will of the majority, freedom of speech should be protected because it is an American value, it promotes the importance of self-expression and it's the single most important political right of citizens.

From the Paper:

"Self-expression is one right most Americans treasure. As Madonna states in one of her songs "Independence to express yourself so you can respect yourself" is one of the benefits of living in the United States. For example, a Vietnam War protester may explain that when she chants 'Stop This War Now' at a demonstration, she does so without any expectation that her speech will affect continuance of the war...rather, she participates and chants in order to define herself publicly in opposition to the war (Wikipedia.org). This war protester provides a dramatic illustration of the importance of this self-expressive use of speech, independent of any effective communication to others, for self-fulfillment or self-realization. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Achbar, Mark and Peter Wintonick, dir. Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, 1992 Documentary http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104810/quotes
• ASHCROFT V. FREE SPEECH COALITION (00-795) 535 U.S. 234 (2002) 198 F.3d 1083, affirmed. Article III http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-795.ZO.html
• "Freedom of speech." Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster, 1996. Answers.com 20 Oct. 2005. http://www.answers.com/topic/freedom-of-speech
• "Freedom of speech." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2002. Wikipedia.org 12 Oct. 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech
• King Jr., Dr. Martin Luther, Beyond Vietnam Address delivered to the Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam, Riverside Church, New York City, 4 April 1967 http://www.ratical.org/ratville/JFK/MLKapr67.pdf

More papers on Freedom of Speech:

• Analytical Essay # 49160 : "Freedom of Speech"
• Research Paper # 122279 : "Constitution and Freedom of Speech Issues"
• Analytical Essay # 121427 : "Tyler Harper and Freedom of Speech"
• Essay # 4170 : "Hate Speeches: The Right to Freedom of Speech"

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