The Freedom Of Speech: The Paradox Of Free Speech

Improved Essays
The freedom of speech, granted within the first amendment to the constitution, allows the sharing of people’s views and opinions without fear of censorship. This right has been essential for the development of ideas and the success of democracy. It has been discussed; however, that this right is paradoxical in nature making it much more complicated than it seems to be. The paradox of free speech, as some argue, stems within the tolerance it demands the intolerant and has caused much debate as to where the line between acceptable and unacceptable speech should lie. In other words, they argue that the freedom of speech cannot guarantee free speech because some groups use this right to silence the speech of those with whom they do not agree. Some …show more content…
In both of these situations, free speech is limited to protect itself. In the snake’s case, the censorship of ideas that lead to the suppression of free speech is then blocked. This is seen by the eagles as an attack on free speech, but allowing absolute free speech would violate many laws in the constitution including privacy and free speech itself. An example of this case is explained in Marcia Clemmitts’ article when she writes that Richard Spencer, the alt-right leader that tried to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference, was ¨later escorted out by security guards¨ (Clemmitts). She also writes the director's decision of the action stating Ian Walters said ¨He is not welcome here. His views are repugnant and have absolutely nothing to do with what goes on here¨ (Clemmitts). This move silenced Spencer´s free speech but it worked to protect the rights of those who aren't white since he is also a supporter of an ¨all white ethno-state¨ (Clemmitts). Many people agreed with Walter´s decision but there were many who called it a violation of the first amendment that was rooted in political correctness. This case exposes the true paradox of free speech, that, to protect free speech, some of it must be censored. This censorship, however, is, in itself, a violation of the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The first amendment of the Bill of Rights states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. " This entire amendment can be seen changed in the story, but the freedom of speech is something that has been taken away. People were not able to speak their mind since the majority of citizens have a hard time even keeping a thought due to implants in their ears.. The one time freedom of speech was shown in this story, the person who spoke up was shot and killed to maintain peace and…

    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    First draft: Rosenblatt Summary and Response In “We Are Free to Be You, Me, Stupid, and Dead” Roger Rosenblatt discusses the views of freedom of speech. He uses examples to show different people’s views on freedom of speech. He also adds his own opinion throughout the article. I may or may not agree on some of the views.…

    • 949 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Freedom of expression deals with the thought that the people of the community should make up their own mind and express their beliefs wherever they want including in public. Regarding this issue, the perspectives by Jeremy Waldron and Catherine MacKinnon that are put forth, are both effective explanations for their contemporary take. In this essay, I will argue that MacKinnon’s’ argument is the correct position, over Waldron’s. I believe it is the more powerful argument because of her exploration of the collision between equality and law, her references to real-world examples such as sexual and racial harassment, and the acknowledgment of the oppressed voices’ being overshadowed.…

    • 1367 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In response to Rosenblatt’s article, I feel like one’s freedom of speech should be unexpressed. In today’s society, freedom is taken to extreme measurements, leading to violence. Roger states “Freedom is like a legal drug. How far will we go?”…

    • 271 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Formal Essay #1 : We Need to Defend Speech We Hate In the article ‘We Need to Defend Speech We Hate “by Lee Rowland.…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Having Free Speech is the basic right that Americans have, it is the ability to speaks one’s mind and ideas. Theres are many benefits to having the ability to project ideas without censorship. Caleb Yong author of “Does Freedom of Speech Include Hate Speech?” argues that the liberal justice has a special protection against the restriction of speech and expression, he calls it “Free Speech Principle” where it includes its “sensitivity to the distinction between coverage and protection (Yong)” that the speech should be monitored. Hate speech is too broad to single out the negative effect that it can have in any group. The main concept of this article includes the four categories that hate speech can be set in.…

    • 1030 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The university invited and uninvited poet Tom Paulin various times because of comments he had made about anti-Semitism. Paulin said, “Israel had no right to exist, that settlers on the West Bank ‘should be shot dead,’ and that Israeli police and military forces were the equivalent of the Nazi SS.” After the department heard “censorship, censorship” they said “"This was a clear affirmation that the department stood strongly by the First Amendment." Fish said, “It was of course, nothing of the kind; it was a transparent effort of a bunch that had already put its foot in its mouth twice to wriggle out of trouble and regain the moral high ground by striking the pose of First Amendment defender.” I agree with Fish in this case because it’s quite obvious that the Harvard English department had already done their research on Paulin, meaning that they probably knew he had said those comments.…

    • 1102 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    What is Freedom of Speech? The Merriam-Webster dictionary define freedom of speech as “the right to express facts and opinions subject only to reasonable limitations (as the power of the government to protect itself from a clear and present danger) guaranteed by the 1st and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and similar provisions of some state constitutions”. Freedom of speech is ones right to say what you please without fear of being punished, is among one of the most treasured freedoms throughout America. The founders of the United States government tried to protect our liberty by assuring a free press, to gather and publish information without being under control or power of another, in the First Amendment to the Constitution. As we know, the Supreme Court plays an important role in the subject of free speech and expression, and we need to understand that…

    • 641 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The exact nature of the First Amendment and what types of speech it protects has been argued ever since the adoption of the Constitution. Perhaps no other section of that great document has exited so much debate. Even today, there is still disagreement. Many people feel it is their right to criticize and challenge authority. There is, however, a distinction to be drawn between constructive criticism and destructive opposition.…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Our founding fathers understood the integrity of free speech; without the independence to express your ideas, there can be no true freedom. Today’s generation of Americans need to take a step back and think about the future implications of restricting free speech, and what kind of a nation will we leave for our children. A nation that is afraid of hurting feelings, being politically incorrect, and unable to interact with differing opinions is a nation that will fall to mediocrity and eventually to tyranny. This is a far-cry from the nation who defended with their lives the belief that all men should have the ability to voice their…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The freedom to speech is very important to many Americans. However, many wonder if some speech should be prohibited especially while online. This is because it is harming, slandering, or hateful. The best way to evaluate this issue is through Deontology. This is because every American has a right to free speech, according to the constitution, they also have duties and consequences that come with being able to say whatever they want.…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I’m tired of everyone exclaiming that they have a right to freedom of speech. She has an opinion. He has an opinion. And their only ammunition is that they have right to freedom of speech, so they continue to carry on with their foolishness. I wished that we were a communist nation that had strict laws that prevented citizens from expressing their feelings about social, political, racial and even sexual dilemmas that one may face daily.…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Abel Fields Case Study

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages

    There have been many opinions about the ruling of the United States v. Fields case. In 2011, Abel Fields spoke at a public safety meeting and stated that he had received the Purple Heart and that he was a part of the military for over eight years. However, his claims were false. Some say that his statement is protected under the first amendment, however, it violates the Stolen Valor Act. This case went through different courts and the ruling was in favor of Abel Fields.…

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Censorship and the effect it has on social media. The world has been changing over the years and with it society has been changing as well. Now, change might not always be for a negative result but it can confuse many people; in their way of thinking and even the way of behavior. There will always be people trying to express themselves in ways other people do no understand and think it is wrong because that was the way they were thought and raise.…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    In the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, it is stated that an individual shall have freedom of speech and freedom of the press. However, there have been numerous controversies challenging the right of freedom of speech, and how people should use this right without violating other people’s rights. A perfect example can be found when college students express their beliefs on campus. In some cases, when college students express their racial, sexual, and religious views through songs, banners, and other methods, they are often perceived as being extremely controversial. When students overuse their freedom of speech to verbally violate other people’s individual right to equality permitted by the constitution, it undermines the equality of all.…

    • 1354 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays