Freedom Of Speech In Schools

Living in the United States we enjoy many independences and freedoms. Although most of these freedoms seem normal and like they have always been there, almost all have been earned through determination and having to give up something. Freedom of speech is perhaps the most valued and contentious right out of all of the rights we have earned. Our ancestors worked hard to make sure that we could have the freedom that they were not given. On the First Amendments one of the rights listed is freedom of speech, specifically in that Congress will not proclaim a law that is “condensing the freedom of speech.” In 1925, the Supreme Court reached a decision that the First Amendment pertains to each state guaranteeing that the statutory right to free speech is …show more content…
Freedom of speech can only be supported as long as it does not violate the law. Even though freedom of speech is one of the most cherished rights that we have, it can cause issues in the world if it is not used in the right way. For Example, in 2002 a high school senior named Joseph Frederick exposed a banner for the Olympic Torch Relay during which was in his city on its journey to the winter competitions. The banner said, “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” and that instantly caught the attention of his high school principal, Deborah Morse. The banner was nowhere near the school grounds, it was located on a public walkway for the event, which was privately supported. Morse ripped off the banner and crumpled the banner up and she then immediately suspended Frederick. Frederick then sued the school board and Principal Morse for