Eight Values - Reflection on The Values of Free Expression

 

 Reflection on the Values of Free Expression

Throughout American culture, freedoms --namely freedom of speech and press-- are strongly protected and acclaimed. There are none in America who want the restriction of free speech (not including hate speech) except for those who have something to gain by stifling the opinions of minorities and the spread of factual events and evidence. Instead, we analyze the values of free expression and use them every day. There are eight values or themes of which we've analyzed and now stand out, when talking about free speech. 

1. Marketplace of Ideas - The theory that when truth and non-truth collide, that truth will, in the end, come out on top. It's believed that through this conflict, truth will be strengthened and proven.
2. Participation in Self-Government - The belief that citizens are entitled to correct information on politics, so that they may make wise and informed choices --especially in elections. There should be space for debate between political candidates and political ideas, rather than the unchallenged promotion and spread of one belief over the other.
3. Stable Change - The theory that when citizens are allowed to speak their minds and vent their grievances, that these people and groups will be less likely to resort to violence.
4. Individual Self-Fulfillment - The belief that citizens ought to be allowed self-expression, so they may develop their own unique personal identity with unique beliefs. This allows for like-minded individuals to come together.
5. Check on Government Power - The belief that the press ought to have the freedom to inform citizens when a leader or person of power abuses their power. Allowing the press to publish this information allows citizens to challenge those authorities who are in the wrong, and allows the government to better perform the checks-and-balances intended by the founding fathers. 
   
6. Promote Tolerance - The theory that shutting down hate-speech and promoting freedom of speech will create social acceptance for diversity and individual uniqueness.
7. Promote Innovation - The theory that valuing free speech will create and society where citizens may fulfill themselves by building and achieving their unique goals and desires in a healthy and creative way (such as starting new businesses or creating work that they're passionate about).
8.  Protect Dissent - The belief that minority views (whether that be views held by minorities or unpopular views/opinions) should be protected. This includes the belief that citizens ought to be able to freely disagree with the government and that they have the freedom to criticize the government.

These beliefs and theories are highly valued in our society and, so, we see them play out in the day-to-day. For instance, Protect Dissent is a prominent value in today's society when considering what laws to make and how to go about daily life. In northern US we see the fight against Line 3 where indigenous peoples are peacefully protesting, but the value gets lost with the brutality brought on by the police. Then there's the Black Lives Matter movement, to raise awareness of continued racism and discrimination in a society that was getting content with its faults. On just as broad of a note, there's continued push for acceptance and normalization of LGBTQ+ individuals, many of whom get kicked out of their houses, in addition to commonly being ridiculed and persecuted on the streets --especially in the cases of transgender individuals. Closely tied to the latter two, we see Promote Tolerance, Individual Self-fulfillment, and Stable Change --all ideas about individuality and tolerance. There's so much more going on in the world, which is why we need to keep these 8 values alive and valued.

Stay Spicy.