Analysis Of Shouting Fire: Stories From The Edges Of Speech

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The HBO documentary Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edges of Free Speech discussed several cases pertaining to the limitations, and possible violations, of freedom of speech in the United States. The documentary also discusses what freedom of speech means in modern society, as well as how it was treated over the course of American history. One case in particular that stood out was the case of public school Principal Debbie Almontaser, who was forced to resign after an interview with the New York Post. Debbie Almontaser was discriminated against for her Arabic-Muslim heritage as well as her right to freedom of speech was violated by her employers at the Department of Education. In Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edges of Free Speech the audience gets to see a bit of background on Debbie Almontaser’s case. Debbie Almontaser is an American Muslim educator. When she was very young her family moved from Yemen to the United States in search of a better life. As Almontaser grew up she became both a teacher as well as an activist in Jewish-Muslim relations and Arabic culture. In the documentary, Almontaser mentions how she invited hundreds of Jews and Christians to her house after the 9/11 attacks in order to defuse tensions among the groups. She also helped establish the Arab heritage week in order to help educate New Yorkers (and Americans) about Arabic culture. It was because her extensive work with promoting ethnic tolerance as well as her highly respected career as an educator was Almontaser chosen to be the founding principal for the Khalil Gibran International Academy. The Khalil Gibran International Academy is a public school in Brooklyn, New York that speaks both English and Arabic. Before the school opened in September 2... ... middle of paper ... ...tment of Education to resolve the issue by considering Almontaser’s demands of reinstatement, back pay, damages of $300,000 and legal fees. The Department of Education however still denies that any wrong doing was done to Almontaser and no resolution has come yet from the events of summer 2007. In conclusion Debbie Almontaser’s first amendment rights to freedom of speech were violated after being misquoted in New York Post’s article then forced to resign by the Department of Education after the article was published. Since the Depart of Education is part of the government then their actions where that of the government violating a person’s right to free speech. Many legal battles have been fought since Almontaser was forced to step down in 2007 and today the Department of Education and Almontaser still struggle over whether or not her rights were violated.

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