Have you ever wondered what the First Amendment of the Constitution means to you? The answer is everything! A long time ago, when the Constitution of the United States was written, there were many people that believed citizens, like yourself, deserve certain special protections against the government. In a way, the amendments act as a "shield" against anyone who seeks too much personal information or control over you. As a citizen, you probably grew up in a house with your family. This "shield" is what stopped unwanted visitors from coming into your home without being invited. The First Amendment does this because it states everyone is entitled to a private life, separate from government watch or control. Could you imagine if someone monitored the posters you want to hang up in your own bedroom?
Below is just a couple questions to see how well you understand the strength of your "shield." Answer the best you can and at the end, your answers will reflect how well you understand your rights under the First Amendment. Be sure to pay attention to the answers located throughout the rest of the post so you can retest friends and yourself at the end.1. Does the First Amendment protect you while you are at school?
a) yes b) no c) only some days
2. At what age does the First Amendment start protecting a citizen of the United States?
a) birth b) 16 c) 18
3. How many words are in the First Amendment (make sure to look around for a clue)? a) 45 b) 46 c) 26
4. What are the "freedoms" given to the people under the First Amendment?
a) speech, press b) owning guns c) none
5. Does the First Amendment protect song lyrics that most people find offensive?
a) yes b) no
6.Does the First Amendment protect students who want to pray in class before taking a test?
a) yes b) no
Have you ever heard of the "I Heart Boobies" bracelets that support breast cancer research and raise awareness? If your friends or family have worn these bracelets to school, they were dealing with a controversy under the First Amendment. The conflict actually went all the way to the Supreme Court, the highest courtroom in the United States. Later, a federal district court, still important but lower than the Supreme Court, ruled that high school students were not mature enough to understand the message of the bracelets and banned them from schools in the state of Indiana.
If you disagree with the state banning these bracelets, then you have a reason to understand the First Amendment. Your "shield" can protect you when you believe the government is too involved with your private life, however, there are restrictions. For example, the court system was able to ban these bracelets because the public schools fall under regulations of the state government. For many more court cases that involve the first amendment, go to the link below and continue to expand your knowledge of your rights. Click here for more.The First Amendment includes freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, the right to peacefully assemble, and the right to petition the government about disagreements. If your teachers have ever gone on strike and walked around in front of your school with signs, they were allowed to be there because of the First Amendment. When groups get together to peaceful demonstrate what they want, it is protected by the right to peacefully assemble. If your teachers decided to chant certain words to get attention for their cause, such as "No chalk, no class," they are also protected by freedom of speech.
Even in times when people disagree with what you have to say, or what others are saying, they still have the right to speak whatever they please. Although, remember earlier when I said there are restrictions to these rights? Some types of speech are not protected because it may pose threats to others or incite violence among people. This kind of restriction is meant to protect all citizens and make sure protesting does not erupt into violence.
Are you ready for the answers to the little pretest you took? The answers are all A's!!! If you chose all of the "A" answers then you defiantly know how strong your shield is. If you answered with 4 or fewer A's, then go ahead and try them again. Then once you have the answers down pat, quiz your parents at home or classmates sitting next to you. And remember, the "Click here" link at the end of the fourth paragraph can tell you even more about interesting First Amendment cases that affect you!
Sources:
First Amendment Quiz. (n.d.) Student Press Law Center. http://www.splc.org/page/first-amendment-quiz
First Amendment. (n.d). Cornell University Law School.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment
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