When it comes to freedom, is there a right to restrict anyone in how far their freedom goes? In order to figure out more about how we view our rights as American citizens, I conducted four different interviews and asked these people the same questions, to find a conclusive idea on what we, as Americans, think about the First Amendment.
“Would you approve of the following law if Congress were considering it?”:
Congress can make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
These are the responses:
Colin Gormley
- Do you agree or disagree with the freedoms? Explain.
- I agree because I believe people should be able to speak their minds and incite change.
- Which do you support, and which do you think are excessive or provide too much freedom?
- I agree with all of them wholeheartedly.
- Do you recognize the law? (Note how many identify it as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how many do not. Note the percentage from each age group.)
- Yes.
Audrey Grace
- Do you agree or disagree with the freedoms? Explain.
- I agree with this law because I personally believe that everyone deserves those rights.
- Which do you support, and which do you think are excessive or provide too much freedom?
- I don’t think any of them provide too much freedom or are excessive.
- Do you recognize the law? (Note how many identify it as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how many do not. Note the percentage from each age group.)
- Yes, it’s the first amendment.
Brenda Sullivan
- Do you agree or disagree with the freedoms? Explain.
- Yes, I agree because these are our God given rights.
- Which do you support, and which do you think are excessive or provide too much freedom?
- I support all of these because we deserve these freedoms.
- Do you recognize the law? (Note how many identify it as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how many do not. Note the percentage from each age group.)
- Yes, the first Amendment.
Andrea Knight
- Do you agree or disagree with the freedoms? Explain.
- I do agree because everyone should have these freedoms.
- Which do you support, and which do you think are excessive or provide too much freedom?
- I support all of these freedoms.
- Do you recognize the law? (Note how many identify it as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how many do not. Note the percentage from each age group.)
- Yes I do.
Judy Smith
- Do you agree or disagree with the freedoms? Explain.
- I do because all people deserve these rights.
- Which do you support, and which do you think are excessive or provide too much freedom?
- I support them all.
- Do you recognize the law? (Note how many identify it as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how many do not. Note the percentage from each age group.)
- Yes.
Conclusion:
After finishing my interviews and asking people these four questions, I found it clear that most people recognized the First Amendment. Also, when I asked people about the “law” I noticed that most people were offended when I asked if they recognized it, which showed to be a common pattern. By the way these people reacted to being asked about it, it shows that people were shocked that others didn’t recognize it or that it was even a question to be asked. Most people probably just assume that everyone knows the First Amendment, which is usually the case among educated citizens. Everyone also came to the same reasoning why they supported this Amendment, and the reason being that everyone deserves their freedom. The group unanimously agreed that we all deserve the right to have our freedom of speech, assembly, the press, and the right to petition the Government.
After these interviews, It also goes to show that these people, without a doubt, believe that everyone should have their “God given rights” and that freedom is automatically what we all deserve. To most people, when asked the question, rather they believe they deserve certain freedoms, they will always come to the same answer, no matter what the specific freedom is. The answer by most free American citizens will be a definite yes.
When looking at the article “High School Student Views On The First Amendment: Trends in the 21st Century,” it goes to show us the ideas behind our younger population’s thoughts on the limitations of the First Amendment, which range in wide views, stretching from beliefs the First Amendment does satisfy all of our rights to freedom to the idea that the Amendment gives us way too much freedom. A common trait that is found in all surveys, shows that “BOYS AND WHITE STUDENTS ARE LESS INCLINED THAN
GIRLS AND STUDENTS OF COLOR TO AGREE WITH THE
STATEMENT: “THE FIRST AMENDMENT GOES TOO FAR
IN THE RIGHTS IT GUARANTEES.”
With this being said, many populations still have a variety of opinions about the limitations of the Amendment and some people even see it as far to protest their beliefs (which is an ability given to us by this exact Amendment).
With all of this being said, do you believe the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees, or should anyone even be able to label how far our rights range?