In elementary school, I learned about all the aspects of government with School House Rock. To this day, I can recite the preamble on command because of this video – but, of course, I have to sing it. It made learning these complex systems fun and entertaining.
NOOOO shade at all to School House Rock, but it allowed me to overlook just how important these concepts are and how fortunate we are to live in a society where citizens have these rights. There are still many countries that do not grant their citizens even the most basic of human rights. Free speech is one of the rights I took for granted, until I became a journalism teacher and truly understood the weight it holds.
Free speech allows us to stand up for what we believe in and advocate for those who need amplification. It allows us to have an exchange of ideas and ideologies, to work through tough issues and have visibility into all sides. It creates knowledgable citizens, and empowers us to cast well-informed votes.
What does the first amendment mean to you?
#democracyinaction #sjw2022
