We pay homage to the concept of freedom of speech and in doing so, we often refer to the First Amendment. Reflecting on this and other aspects of the Constitution… what an amazing experience it must have been for our Founding fathers to actively give birth to a new nation after 7+ years of conflict (Treaty of Paris in 1783) and following another 6 years of internal debate & organization (Constitution ratified in 1790).
The Framers not only recognized natural (God-given, not Government-given!) rights to individual liberty but engraved this idea as a core inalienable and inviolable right to all citizens - to a degree unlike any other time in post-classical history.
It must’ve been so inspiring while nerve-wracking to a degree, since such a sweeping revolution had never succeeded nor had its new offspring, the United States government itself, been put to the test of time. Just how long would this experimental Constitutional Republic remain intact?
We still have every reason to ask this question daily and ensure we are anwered!
Yes!
Sadly, there were those who were entirely left behind during this upheaval and eventual independence, those trapped in slavery; the slaves failed to benefit from these new found liberties; that chapter should never be forgotten nor buried in history books; nor should it, in the opinion of this author, be held up as the primary cornerstone of our republic. Four score and seven years following the birth of The United States, to quote old Abe, the nation paid dearly for this terrible self inflicted burden and festering wound, suffering well over 620,000 dead and with over one million wounded throughout the bloody Civil War that tore the nation apart while ending slavery .. the total dead from that conflict represented more than 2% of the population (approx. 7 million in today’s numbers); much notable progress to right this historic wrong has been made ever since, albeit painfully. We adapt as we continue to be a nation of laws and opportunity, adhering to the Constitution, as all who are elected or appointed to serve us in government swear an oath to do so.
Returning to the 1st Amendment, here is what it states clearly and how the entire world, not just America, can benefit by keeping its meaning alive, as one can picture nurturing a newborn or attending to the Olympic torch, consistently, with care and without interruption. We must strive to keep this flame alive and continue to honor what George Washington states with great passion here:
First Amendment:
"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.”
I have taken the “liberty” of quoting others here who have delivered in their own words their commitment to sustaining uncensored freedom of speech; this most essential principle is increasingly under attack by those who claim they would desire to silence or limit our freedom of expression “for our own good or protection”……….a most devious and slippery slope.
Apart from specifically prohibiting:
1) Incitement to violence or to violate laws
2) Defamation (falsehood with malice, to proven in a court of law) 3) Obscenity & Indecency (child pornography)
There should be NO censorship other than these enumerated ones; fortunately, our judicial system has managed to protect the 1st Amendment, and should hopefully remain dedicated to this most "secularly sacred" content within our Constitution.
We the people must also stay vigilant and do all that is in our power to prevent the dilution or erosion of the 1st Amendment. There are frightening developments in other parts of the world where the absence of a 1st Amendment as a legal anchor is now taking a toll - the United Kingdom is one such nation that provides us with a clarion wake up call. We are left almost speechless as we witness the recent suppression of free speech with citizens rounded up and jailed for posting “hurtful" language in that formerly enlightened country. If it can happen in what is considered the cradle of modern Western democratic civilization, home to the the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the parliamentary system of government.. imagine how quickly such freedoms can be lost if not actively defended. Also, note that there is no 2nd Amendment to safeguard the 1st.
To wrap up, here are four more quotes concerning freedom of speech:
If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
George Orwell
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought.
Euripides
If we don't believe in free expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
Noam Chomsky
I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
Evelyn Beatrice Hall
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Note: These are the author’s thoughts on this subject - and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Convention of States (national), its members or affiliates.
