Eight Values of Free Expression

    

    The first amendment is called upon as a right for people in this country probably more than any other amendment, and is most likely the amendment that applies to us most on a daily basis. Freedom of speech is held very dearly in many nations, but I believe there is no other country that displays it as such a strong foundation and crucial aspect of the beliefs we hold most important than in the United States. We've seen how the first amendment originally came to be, to all the ways it has changed and applied itself through our history as a country. Throughout time, people have come to many different conclusions on the topic of free speech and action, and the Eight Values of Free Expression touches upon these different perspectives that people have. 

Of the Eight Values of Free Expression, there are certainly a few that stand out to me, but one value that I believe holds a lot of weight is Stable Change. I really support the idea that people upset with the government, or upset for whatever reason should be allowed to be angry and speak their minds against whatever policy or issue they feel negatively impacted by. I do genuinely believe that by allowing people to release their anger openly through speech, we will prevent many potentially violent outbursts due to pent-up anger because of prolonged suppression. Art is an example of a medium that has always allowed people to dispose of their anger in a positive and creative way, instead of actually acting out violently. Artists will put these feelings into their art, whether it be music, a painting, or a film. We have angry music that may seem hate-fueled and intimidating to some, but in reality is getting rid of the actual anger and showing others alternatives to resorting to unruly behavior. 

When it comes to Individual Self-Fulfillment, I think it may be one of the most prevalent values in today's world. We live in a society where self-expression has become such an important part of daily life. I don't only mean self-expression in voicing your opinions and talking about your interests or desires. I mainly mean self-expression in identity which has been something we have definitely struggled with as a culture over the years. More and more it is becoming okay to be free in who you are and not hide characteristics about your self in order to please others. This all taps into the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as identifying with your race and heritage. In the past, people have been ashamed of who they truly are, and that is still the case with plenty of people now. But we have come a long way in embracing who you are and where you come from and becoming more confident in yourself and your identity by doing so.

I think another example of a real-life application of these values is the idea of Promote Innovation. We have obviously always lived in a society where forward-thinking and progression of technology is one of the most important goals. At the same time we live in a society where some people are so advanced for us that they will be shunned. Free-thinkers have always struggled and have been forced to overcome odds in order to bring forth development. However, it seems like especially in today's age we are more open to the crazy ideas of some of the geniuses that are pushing the limits time and time again. For example, Elon Musk has accomplished so much and even though some of his ideas will be viewed as far-fetched and maybe even unobtainable, people tend to believe in him and his big plans since he has proved himself to us, and so have all the others that came before him, making us realize that sometimes the impossible is in fact, possible.

Saracsalinas. “Elon Musk Has a History of Wild Ideas - Some of Them Have Worked Out.” CNBC, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2019, https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/24/elon-musks-wild-ideas-a-history-of-whats-worked.html.