It is baffling to me how universities think free speech is “out of date. The first Amendment jumps out to me as one of the most important and a large part of what America was built on. Our founding Fathers made promises to allow citizens to voice their opinions and be free individuals. It is astonishing that colleges, institutions based on helping people grow and learn, want to try to silence the voice of people. Some of the greatest ideas and movements were started because people spoke out for their beliefs. I think it is important for people to understand we may not all have the same opinions, but that it is okay and what makes each person unique.
After seeing the statistics presented from The William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale, I was surprised to find that “30 percent of self-identified liberal students say the First Amendment is outdated”. I would have thought that more students would have said that the first amendment is crucial part of their lives. In school, we are taught to form opinions about topics and issues. We are also taught how to defend our views and eloquently state our standpoint as well as supporting facts. I see my generation as one who wants their voice to be heard. If the government were to declare that the First Amendment is outdated, who knows what other amendments they would attack next. Keep in mind that in other countries, people have died trying to state what is on their mind and get their voice heard. Students across America should realize that the First Amendment is not outdated; rather, it plays a critical role in the framework of our nation and lives of American citizens.
I was very surprised with the statistics presented in this article. It is mind boggling for me to see how many students really think free speech is outdated. Rather than thirty percent, I honestly would have predicted that about 5 to 10 percent of students thought free speech is outdated. Anyways, I do not think free speech is outdated. Free speech is a timeless aspect of society. Everyone should and does have the right to free speech. I’d really like to ask some of the students why they think free speech is outdated because to me, it is an absurd thing to say. Nonetheless, it would be very interested to listen to their opinions.
I agree with Mary and Lindsey that I am very shocked by the results of this survey. College students are in the prime of their independence. It is their most crucial time to be out in the world, on their own exploring and getting to know themselves and what they want to do with the rest of their lives. It is their time to be a part of passionate groups and actively submerge themselves in the world’s current events. So, when I see that more than half of college students surveyed think there should be restrictions on speech for students, I am very surprised. I would think they would want to defend their newly acclaimed independence and freedom, not demote it. College students, while they get to live out the short period of time where they really don’t have to report to anyone, should be taking advantage of it. This is the four years of their life where they are free of the strictness and control of high school, but also not yet bounded by a job and having to work under other’s control. This is the time where they should be more outspoken then ever, and if students feel they need to be protected from being uncomfortable now, then I don’t believe they’ll ever be able to handle the reality of a sometimes very harsh world after college is over.
I definitely disagree that the first amendment is outdated. In my opinion, its one of the most important parts of our constitution. Even though I see this issue differently than the individuals polled in the article, I can see where the college students are drawing their opinions from. College students of today grew up with the dawn of the information age. The majority of these students spent some part of their childhood using the internet in its earliest days, staying social with AOL and MySpace, or witnessing the vast amount of information that can be found on the internet, both good and bad. The internet has no restraints nor warnings on much of its content, so I believe that many people have become wary of unrestricted transfer of information all together. Unlike this article, I agree with the students in that trigger warnings would be beneficial. Trigger warnings act much like movie ratings. They give individuals the opportunity to be prepared for any heavy or inappropriate content. Just as a movie is available whether its rated G or R, a lecture or article could be flagged to alert listeners or readers of harmful topics such as rape or other forms of violence. This wouldn't be limiting freedom of speech, it would just give people the opportunity to choose what speech they want to hear.
I am very surprised after looking at the results of the survey done among the students of Yale. I agree with Elizabeth. The students in our generation today are taught to have their own opinion on every situation we may deal with today. On the other hand, I have also noticed that the people who do speak their mind receive hate or it backfires on them which is why I could see why students think the freedom of speech is outdated. In my opinion, I think the First Amendment will always be in effect and any human being in the world should have the right to say whatever they want, whenever they want. This country is going downhill every day and I'm scared to see what will happen next.
This article is very shocking to me. I don't understand how people can think that the First Amendment is outdated. The freedom of speech is extremely important to the American people. I especially think that this amendment is necessary for daily life. People shouldn't have to fear persecution if they speak their mind. The ability to do so is given in the First Amendment and I truly hope that this never changes. I hope that people are free from fear and are able to speak their opinions for years to come.
Along with every other person that has commented on this article, I am honestly baffled. Our country is based on freedom and liberty, and most of those basic freedoms are ensured and protected in the First Amendment. The freedom of speech is not outdated. The freedom to practice one's own religion is not outdated. The First Amendment is one of the most important features of our constitution. The years a student spends in college are the years they learn how to be independent by themselves. College prepares students for their careers and life after school. College is when a student needs to advocate for themselves, which would require the freedom to speak for themselves. Without the First Amendment, students would not be able to represent themselves.
I am in shock. The first amendment is not outdated. It is one of the most important amendments we obtain. The main freedoms of our country are protected by the first amendment. Without the freedom of speech our country would not be as successful and strong as it is today. The american people need to be able to have the freedom of speaking their opinions so that our world does not become a government controlled nation. That is not what America is. America is supposed to be mostly controlled by the people and without the first amendment i think that our country would turn into something like china. i think that the results of this survey, just doesn't make sense. Especially since college students want nothing but freedom and are trying to figure out who they are. They are the future of out nation and that is why this scares me. More so, without this amendment these student would not have the freedoms that they have today.
I am very surprise on the results of the article regarding the freedom of speech. The United States is one of the only countries who allows its citizens to have so much freedom in which they do. That is what makes America the land of the free if we start to strip freedoms away from citizens the communist government beliefs start to come into play. The years a student spends at college is time to see new beliefs, religions, and experience new freedoms as well. When restrictions are brought upon students they will not be able to handle the harsh realistic pressures of the real world when college ends. The constant rules were bounding them from living.
I can barely believe what I just read. The fact that anyone, especially educated young people, would believe that the First Amendment is outdated blows my mind. I understand that sometimes certain conversations, subjects, words, and phrases can be hard or offensive to talk about. As Americans however, we have the right to talk about them anyway. Something that has made our country the “land of the free” is freedom of speech. In my opinion, regulating the freedom is a slippery slope to restrictions our ancestors came to America to avoid. The ability to speak ones mind, will never be out of date.
It is baffling to me how universities think free speech is “out of date. The first Amendment jumps out to me as one of the most important and a large part of what America was built on. Our founding Fathers made promises to allow citizens to voice their opinions and be free individuals. It is astonishing that colleges, institutions based on helping people grow and learn, want to try to silence the voice of people. Some of the greatest ideas and movements were started because people spoke out for their beliefs. I think it is important for people to understand we may not all have the same opinions, but that it is okay and what makes each person unique.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing the statistics presented from The William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale, I was surprised to find that “30 percent of self-identified liberal students say the First Amendment is outdated”. I would have thought that more students would have said that the first amendment is crucial part of their lives. In school, we are taught to form opinions about topics and issues. We are also taught how to defend our views and eloquently state our standpoint as well as supporting facts. I see my generation as one who wants their voice to be heard. If the government were to declare that the First Amendment is outdated, who knows what other amendments they would attack next. Keep in mind that in other countries, people have died trying to state what is on their mind and get their voice heard. Students across America should realize that the First Amendment is not outdated; rather, it plays a critical role in the framework of our nation and lives of American citizens.
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised with the statistics presented in this article. It is mind boggling for me to see how many students really think free speech is outdated. Rather than thirty percent, I honestly would have predicted that about 5 to 10 percent of students thought free speech is outdated. Anyways, I do not think free speech is outdated. Free speech is a timeless aspect of society. Everyone should and does have the right to free speech. I’d really like to ask some of the students why they think free speech is outdated because to me, it is an absurd thing to say. Nonetheless, it would be very interested to listen to their opinions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary and Lindsey that I am very shocked by the results of this survey. College students are in the prime of their independence. It is their most crucial time to be out in the world, on their own exploring and getting to know themselves and what they want to do with the rest of their lives. It is their time to be a part of passionate groups and actively submerge themselves in the world’s current events. So, when I see that more than half of college students surveyed think there should be restrictions on speech for students, I am very surprised. I would think they would want to defend their newly acclaimed independence and freedom, not demote it. College students, while they get to live out the short period of time where they really don’t have to report to anyone, should be taking advantage of it. This is the four years of their life where they are free of the strictness and control of high school, but also not yet bounded by a job and having to work under other’s control. This is the time where they should be more outspoken then ever, and if students feel they need to be protected from being uncomfortable now, then I don’t believe they’ll ever be able to handle the reality of a sometimes very harsh world after college is over.
ReplyDeleteI definitely disagree that the first amendment is outdated. In my opinion, its one of the most important parts of our constitution. Even though I see this issue differently than the individuals polled in the article, I can see where the college students are drawing their opinions from. College students of today grew up with the dawn of the information age. The majority of these students spent some part of their childhood using the internet in its earliest days, staying social with AOL and MySpace, or witnessing the vast amount of information that can be found on the internet, both good and bad. The internet has no restraints nor warnings on much of its content, so I believe that many people have become wary of unrestricted transfer of information all together. Unlike this article, I agree with the students in that trigger warnings would be beneficial. Trigger warnings act much like movie ratings. They give individuals the opportunity to be prepared for any heavy or inappropriate content. Just as a movie is available whether its rated G or R, a lecture or article could be flagged to alert listeners or readers of harmful topics such as rape or other forms of violence. This wouldn't be limiting freedom of speech, it would just give people the opportunity to choose what speech they want to hear.
ReplyDeleteI am very surprised after looking at the results of the survey done among the students of Yale. I agree with Elizabeth. The students in our generation today are taught to have their own opinion on every situation we may deal with today. On the other hand, I have also noticed that the people who do speak their mind receive hate or it backfires on them which is why I could see why students think the freedom of speech is outdated. In my opinion, I think the First Amendment will always be in effect and any human being in the world should have the right to say whatever they want, whenever they want. This country is going downhill every day and I'm scared to see what will happen next.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very shocking to me. I don't understand how people can think that the First Amendment is outdated. The freedom of speech is extremely important to the American people. I especially think that this amendment is necessary for daily life. People shouldn't have to fear persecution if they speak their mind. The ability to do so is given in the First Amendment and I truly hope that this never changes. I hope that people are free from fear and are able to speak their opinions for years to come.
ReplyDeleteAlong with every other person that has commented on this article, I am honestly baffled. Our country is based on freedom and liberty, and most of those basic freedoms are ensured and protected in the First Amendment. The freedom of speech is not outdated. The freedom to practice one's own religion is not outdated. The First Amendment is one of the most important features of our constitution. The years a student spends in college are the years they learn how to be independent by themselves. College prepares students for their careers and life after school. College is when a student needs to advocate for themselves, which would require the freedom to speak for themselves. Without the First Amendment, students would not be able to represent themselves.
ReplyDeleteI am in shock. The first amendment is not outdated. It is one of the most important amendments we obtain. The main freedoms of our country are protected by the first amendment. Without the freedom of speech our country would not be as successful and strong as it is today. The american people need to be able to have the freedom of speaking their opinions so that our world does not become a government controlled nation. That is not what America is. America is supposed to be mostly controlled by the people and without the first amendment i think that our country would turn into something like china. i think that the results of this survey, just doesn't make sense. Especially since college students want nothing but freedom and are trying to figure out who they are. They are the future of out nation and that is why this scares me. More so, without this amendment these student would not have the freedoms that they have today.
ReplyDeleteI am very surprise on the results of the article regarding the freedom of speech. The United States is one of the only countries who allows its citizens to have so much freedom in which they do. That is what makes America the land of the free if we start to strip freedoms away from citizens the communist government beliefs start to come into play. The years a student spends at college is time to see new beliefs, religions, and experience new freedoms as well. When restrictions are brought upon students they will not be able to handle the harsh realistic pressures of the real world when college ends. The constant rules were bounding them from living.
ReplyDeleteI can barely believe what I just read. The fact that anyone, especially educated young people, would believe that the First Amendment is outdated blows my mind. I understand that sometimes certain conversations, subjects, words, and phrases can be hard or offensive to talk about. As Americans however, we have the right to talk about them anyway. Something that has made our country the “land of the free” is freedom of speech. In my opinion, regulating the freedom is a slippery slope to restrictions our ancestors came to America to avoid. The ability to speak ones mind, will never be out of date.
ReplyDelete