Now, I understand that there is a time and place for everything. Its not polite to walk into an elemtary school class and start cussing, or run around Harlem screaming racial slurs, because a lot of people would be offended. So is there really a freedom of speech? And what about wearing offensive shirts? If someone is offended, they could just look away and not buy that shirt. I don't like to offend people but Im just wondering about this. Doesnt freedom of speech technically cover everything?
2007-05-31 17:09:40 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
True freedom of speech only exists in the jungle. Our speech is free-er than many places, and I generally don't feel oppressed in this regard, but our speech in America is not fully free, no.
2007-05-31 17:13:43 · answer #1 · answered by The Lobe 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're mixing legal freedom with social freedom, and they aren't the same. You have the legal freedom to run around Harlem screaming racial slurs, but you don't have the social freedom to do so, because as you pointed out, a lot of people would be offended.
As far as offensive shirts - yes, someone could look away. And that's an easy statement to make when you're young and still understanding the world. However, as you grow old and survive sometimes horrible experiences, you begin to hope for the right to be in the presence of mature, considerate people who will not say or wear extremely offensive material that sometimes mocks what was/is a serious experience or belief for you.
I don't mean to sound condescending, but when you get older, you'll understand.
2007-06-01 03:06:18 · answer #2 · answered by Magaroni 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well yes, freedom of speech technically does exist, but there are many places where it is void and sometimes misunderstood. There are some laws against some forms of speech such as hate crimes. Also on school grounds the Bill of Rights does not cover students so kids in school don't have freedom of speech. In some cases, like when Don Imus got fired, people misunderstand it as Don Imus having freedom of speech and getting fired for a non Constitutional reason. But technically in this case the radio station who aired Imus fired him just because they were losing listeners and it had nothing to do with freedom of speech.
2007-06-01 00:22:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should, but unfortunately it doesn't. Your opinion doesn't count for anything. If you state how you feel about something in public, you can be sued for libel or slander. We don't have a free country anymore. All the foreigners now living here have seen to this and our government will not stand up for our rights!
2007-06-01 00:17:21 · answer #4 · answered by JR 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Freedom is more like having the freedom to do what is right, and what you SHOULD do, but most usually think freedom is doing WHATEVER they want, whether it's right or not.
2007-06-01 01:30:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course it exists . . . only not here at YA!
2007-06-01 00:13:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, not any more.
2007-06-01 00:12:42 · answer #7 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋