Freedom of Speech throughout United States History It

1
Freedom of Speech throughout United States
HistoryIts Champions and Challenges

• National Constitution Day

2
The Alien and Sedition Acts

• Designed to protect the new government against
  the undermining capability of criticism from
  foreign powers it became a domestic political
  tool. While never reviewed by the Supreme Court,
  subsequent references intimate its
  unconstitutionality in light of the 1st Amendment.

• Specifically the Sedition Act (passed in July,
  1798 with an expiration date of March 3, 1801)
• Made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, and
  malicious writing against the United States
  government.

3
Sojourner Truth Aint I a Woman - 1851

• That man over there says that women need to be
  helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches,
  and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody
  ever helps me into carriages, or over
  mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And
  aint I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I
  have ploughed and planted, and gathered into
  barns, and no man could head me! And aint I a
  woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a
  man when I could get it and bear the lash as
  well! And aint I a woman? I have borne thirteen
  children, and seen most all sold off to slavery,
  and when I cried out with my mothers grief, none
  but Jesus heard me! And aint I a woman? Then
  they talk about this thing in the head wha's
  this they call it? member of audience whispers,
  intellect Thats it, honey. Whats that got to
  do with womens rights or negroes rights? If my
  cup wont hold but a pint, and yours holds a
  quart, wouldnt you be mean not to let me have my
  little half measure full?

4

• Highlighting the complexity of being an
  African-American woman at a time when rights for
  both groups were at different points of progress
  her intimations and ability to express those
  thoughts are emblematic of our 1st Amendment
  Rights

• What challenges could she have faced by speaking
  out in 1851?
• What large event in American History hadnt yet
  occurred?

5
Tinker et al. v. Des Moines Independent Community
School District et al. (1969)

• This case established the 1st Amendment Rights of
  students.
• In this case, the student act of wearing armbands
  to protest the Vietnam War was upheld by the
  Supreme Court.

6
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

• The Supreme Court found that school newspapers
  that arent established as a forum for student
  opinion have a lower protection of 1st Amendment
  rights. Schools, can, therefore, censor elements
  of the newspapers if there is an educational
  purpose. (subsequently, states have passed laws
  that protect free press in schools more firmly)

7
Free Speech Zones

• Designed to protect both attendee and protester,
  1st Amendment zones have been established at
  various places and events. (2004 Democratic
  National Convention as an example)

8
Contemporary Issues

• Are there any issues in the United States or the
  World that champion of challenge Free Speech/
  Press/ Expression?
• How have these events altered your definition of
  free speech and its importance?