Eight Values of Free Expression

Within the United States, the first amendment protects multiple human rights, including the freedom of speech. As a nation,  this freedom has guided the U.S. for decades. Scholars theorize that there are eight theories as to why this right of free speech is so important to Americans. 

Marketplace of Ideas - This is pretty much the idea that when a group of people come together and some lie while others tell the truth, the truth will win out.

Participation in Self-Government - This is the idea that voters want to know everything a candidate says in order to have a real opinion on who they support.

Stable Change - This is the idea that the more people are able to rant about their emotions and grievances, the less violence there will be. 

Individual Self-Fulfillment -  This is the theory that when allowed to freely express yourself, you began to form an identity as an individual. 

Check on Governmental Power - This is the theory that citizens along with the press are able to be a part of the checks and balances ingrained into our government. 

Promate Tolerance - This theory states that through freedom of speech, hate speech can make us more tolerant. We are able to recognize hateful speech and see that it is not acceptable, and therefore find tolerance and norms in our society, 

Promate Innovation - This is the idea that a society with free speech and expression is one where ideas can flow and people can collaborate and find new ideas and theories.  

Protect Dissent - This is the theory that minority opinions are protected. The U.S. isn't meant to be made up of one overarching opinion or ideal, and all ideas and opinions are protected. 

Of these eight, two stood out to me: Stable Change and Individual Self-Fulfillment. 

With Stable Change, I have an issue. I think that to a certain extent ranting out negative emotions is helpful, however after a certain amount of time it becomes an unhealthy coping mechanism that leads to verbal fighting. I find that venting about things or people who upset you becomes addicting and that it can become toxic very quickly. The other issue is that people tend to rant or vent to like-minded individuals which only makes the whole experience more addicting to them. After spending years of ranting to people who feel the same way, finding someone with different opinions leads to awful, toxic, verbal fights. I believe that having the right to vent or rant is important, but that it does not decrease violence or false opinions. 

With Individual Self-Fulfillment, I completely agree with this theory and find it very compelling. I think that the ability to freely communicate is what makes an individual themself. When someone is taught to hide themselves and not to communicate how they feel or what they think, they cannot form a personality or identity. One of the greatest things about the United States, despite all its faults, is that we are able to freely express ourselves. While at times this leads to fighting and disagreements, it is worth it. I believe that free speech is a basic human right that should be available to all. Without the ability to express ourselves, who are we? Luckily, as American's, we are able to not only find ourselves but to explore ourselves and find self-fulfillment.