“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.”
The First Amendment is one of the core pillars of American democracy. Yet, one of its most essential components, freedom of speech – specifically freedom of the press – is currently under attack.
I fell in love with journalism in the ninth grade because it offered a space where I could express myself freely. It became a way for me to shine light on important issues, whether in my community or around the world. What I appreciate most about the Raider Review is the variety of opinions. As Editor-In-Chief, I read every single piece we publish, and I always learn something new and, many times, develop a newfound perspective on a topic. However, as I’ve gotten more involved in the media, I’ve noticed how the crucial rights of journalists and all Americans are currently in danger.
America was founded on the principles of free speech. The reason we fought to separate from Great Britain is that they were continuously oppressing the liberties of the people. Therefore, when the constitution, the document that outlines the freedoms of the people, is being threatened, we must fight to protect these rights.
Society has seen a rise in violence when it comes to journalists, advocates, politicians, or even everyday citizens being outspoken about their opinions. No matter which side a person is on, they never deserve to be met with threats because of their opinion. When this is continuously the case, we know that as a society, we have failed to uphold the democracy we fought so hard to build in the first place.
The freedom to speak freely encourages individuality and autonomy. When people feel safe to think for themselves and advocate for what they believe in, society grows stronger. Diversity of thought is crucial for democracy because only through disagreement, dialogue, and understanding can learning and advancement occur. Being able to acknowledge others’ opinions also makes us better and more empathetic humans. If all Americans were forced to think the same, then we would lose the qualities that make our democracy so strong: curiosity, diversity, and empowerment.
If we want to protect one of our most precious freedoms, we cannot continue to condone censorship, violence, or the silencing of anyone’s opinion. We must defend the right of every person to speak freely without fear of the consequences. By keeping an open mind, we all can protect the very soul of our democracy.
