Un American Speech In Texas

In 2003, the Dixie Chicks go on stage in London. Their careers after are destroyed. They are chased with death threats, threats of violence, and vandalism. The reason was that Natalee Maines declared being an objector the Iraq war and being ashamed the president was from Texas on stage during that show. Natalee Maine made this comment during a time period where it was unacceptable to be seen publically being against the president and the war.
The question of how and what free speech in society is acceptable is a question that comes up repeatedly in the United States. The fact is, there is still controversies over the first amendment in the 21 century, 200 years after the founders put quill pen to parchment. It would be incorrect to say the concept of free speech is completely unpopular to people. The opinion and action of the majority and those in power do not cause controversy. It is the flag burners, the kneelers, the voices that go against the grain that are unpopular and are tried against what is protected free speech.
Often, patriotism is tied into the reasons why people protest certain kinds of speech and actions. “He’s disrespecting the troops”, “Un-American”, “She’s trampling the flag”, “Un-American. Having perceived un-American speech is a crime in many. However, protecting the speech of the unpopular and the minority is …show more content…
When Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in protest of police violence, a movement took off that for many was deemed offensive. This protest led to calls online and on social media for any person who kneeled or refused to stand during the Anthem to be suspended from school, suspended from games, to lose their jobs, or to lose their scholarships. In September, a high schooler in Maine was suspended from one game over kneeling. It was overturned by the school eventually. In Texas a middle school’s whole team’s season is currently suspended after taking a knee