Kenzie's Blog Post #3

Mackenzie Van Cleef 

Wednesday September 4th, 2024

Eight Values of Free Expression 

    Blog Post #1 

    The First Amendment is highly dependent on the Eight Values of Expression. It describes how everyone has the right to express themselves freely whenever they decide to do so. All eight values of free expression try to explain in different ways people are allowed view and have an opinion without being restricted or punished through the government.  The Eight Values of Expression include..

• Stable Change
• participating in self government 
• Generating ideas 
• promoting tolerance
• promoting change
• protecting lack of agreement
• Self fulfillment
• check on government power  

Out of all eight expressions the one that had stuck out to me the most was "Promote Tolerance." I decided to choose this one because it presents the idea that hearing a statement that personally upsets or offends us can teach us to be more tolerant in other aspects of life. It demonstrates why a world with greater tolerance is a better place to live. According to that value of expression hate speech is protected by the First Amendment because it offers society vital lessons such as why it is offensive and therefore worthy of punishment. It's how we communicate norms for appropriate behavior. 

Pros and Cons: Some examples of pros include free exchange of ideas, free expression that ensures citizens can debate and discuss public policy, free speech is essential for holding government accountable, and lastly, it is a key part of personal growth and self-realization. 

A few examples of cons include, one being not all ideas receive equal attention or consideration as others, it can be used to justify harmful speech, such as hate speech or harassment, it allows the spread of misinformation and manipulation, and not all voices are equally heard, leading to imbalances in influence.

The expression that in my opinion is the most important is the "Individual Self-Fulfillment" where it talks about each individual being to express their own opinions and feelings rather then someone else speaking for them or them being to afraid to speak up for themselves. It helps them create their own identity as well as how others see them. I think this also encourages others to be able to feel like they are able to open up. 

  

In context of the Eight Freedoms of Speech, the importance of Individual Self-Fulfillment is unable to exaggerated, as it emphasizes the value of free speech as an essential aspect of identity, maturity, and independence. It also enhances the general diversity and wealth of society. Having empowerment and confidences encourages individuals to accept responsibility for their knowledge and opinions. As it protects each person's freedom to establish and express their own identity, individual self-fulfillment is important to the Eight Freedoms of Speech because it encourages autonomy, mental health, and social diversity. It gives room for development of the individual, for creativity, and for the establishment of a more active and welcoming community. Human and social progress would be limited by the lack of it of we didn't have it.

This freedom is important, in my opinion, given our society. I think that you deserve to be entitled to express your thoughts without worrying about the consequences. Therefore, I should be encouraged to share my opinion if I disagree with one another without any problems nor hate. It also gives us a deeper look into the world around us and for us to know what is going on so we are allowed to either vote or just have a say in what we are standing for. 

That is why I believe that the Eight Values of Expression are important and why others should value you them and stand up for what they believe in without personally feeling like they are being attacked.