Sticks and Stones

Freedom of Speech is possibly the most respected American ideal. Envied by citizens of countries where self-expression is a right of some and stricken from others, we uphold this concept with defensive pride. However, we must ask ourselves if this freedom can ever go too far. When does lenience turn into naivety? If speech is abused so freely that it enslaves the minds of another should it become a privilege, rather than a right? In his essay “On Racist Speech”, Charles R. Lawrence III argues for limitations on Freedom of Speech as described in the First Amendment to prevent only the most heinous racial remarks. While I understand why many Americans initially find limiting freedom of speech contradictory to the concept of our free states, Lawrence argues that we should “regulate harassing speech” when it infringes upon the -rights of another (61). To defend the First Amendment is important, but we must not forget the unalienable rights imparted upon us in the earlier Declaration of Independence. When a misapplication of our First Amendment rights inhibits any person’s ability to peacefully experience “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, restriction of speech is imperative to the preservation of equality.

Most people opposing restrictions on freedom of speech believe it will open doors that may threaten expression and lead to more extreme forms of censorship. What much of the opposition fails to realize is that our government has “drawn lines between protected and unprotected freedom of speech before without dire results” (Lawrence 64). When the abuse of one right threatens the preservation of another our government must pick their poison and decide which side calls for protection in each situation. This can be seen by ...

... middle of paper ...

... of all civil liberties. If we continue to rally against the regulation of racial commentaries in places of education and employment, we are threatening the American dream of equal opportunity that brings reverence to the United States. It is time that we protect all groups and individuals equally from torment grounded in details as uncontrollable as gender or the color of their skin. Some speech must be contained to allow the unalienable right to a happy life to flourish without restriction.

Works Cited

Lawrence III, Charles R. “On Racist Speech.” Current Issues and Enduring Questions, 9th ed.

Ed. Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau. Boston : New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011:

61-65.

“Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” EEOC.gov. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission, 2011. Web. 09 Feb 2012. .