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Freedom of Speech

The first amendment of the United States Constitution gives the people of this country the right to speak freely. It says this, "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 redness of grievances." Then why is it that this is frowned upon in our schools? Every person has the right to speak their mind no matter where they are, but students are not allowed that right.

Say, for example, a student is in a science class. There might be a time when religion conflicts with science. If a certain student does not agree with evolution or the "big bang theory", etc. he or she should not be forced to agree with it. They should be able to have their own opinions and should speak them freely. "...shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." This means that the government cannot conflict with the religious beliefs of its citizens. In return, our schools should not conflict with the religious beliefs of their students. For, students are also citizens of the United States and the government runs the schools. Thus implying that students have the right to speak or do freely concerning their religious beliefs.

Also, students are banned from expressing themselves through words, even if these words are not their own. As reads from Canton High School The Pennant Editorial Policy "Advertising... The Pennant will not accept advertising that endorses political candidates or religious institutions." This contradicts what the First Amendment says. "... congress shall make no law respecting... or prohibiting... or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..." Once again, the schools seem to be contradicting what the First Amendment has told us. Moreover, some schools even go as far to ban certain words from a play the school is performing. "Footloose" is about a group of kids challenging a small town's ban on dancing. How ironic then, that schools in Michigan and Georgia were banning the words of that play. It is not as if these words were actually coming from the students. These students were simply acting, no more, and no less.

Lastly, teens should be able to express their opinions. They need to develop this skill, as they are the future of the United States. Would not it be rather queer if someone was running for President and could not give a speech because he or she had no opinions? This is what schools are teaching their students. Children today are not allowed to carry opinions. When the time comes that they need to have one, what is the child to do or say? The child will not know. They will be opinion-less. Why is this? Because our schools are banning youth from expressing themselves to the fullest.

To sum up, our schools need to learn that the future of this nation is lying in the hands of the youth. They also need to come to the conclusion that students have opinions and need to express them in order to become a more developed individual. How can a child ever be himself if he cannot carry his own opinions? Would not all people be the same? The answer is a simple yes; all people would be almost identical to each other, with the same point of view and the same mind frame. If the schools cannot learn to let students express themselves, then the only people here to point blame at for the future of this nation are the leaders of our youth.

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