FREEDOM OF SPEECH and the FIRST AMENDMENT

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FREEDOM OF SPEECH and the FIRST AMENDMENT

• For class 8-346
• by N. Reed

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Introduction

• The controversy about rap music today and the
  question of whether profanity, violence,sexism,
  and racism in rap lyrics are protected by the
  First Amendment is the most explosive issue
  concerning Freedom of Speech today. Young people
  today feel that rap lyrics are legitimate
  expression of their view about life which are
  protected speech in terms of the United States
  Constitution. Others see the sentiment expressed
  in rap music as violation of their rights.
• What is your view? Are lyrics a freedom of
  speech or a violation of rights

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Task
You will explore the controversy of rap music and
the
First Amendment. How? Just watch and see!
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• 1. You will conduct a survey using
  OpinionPoint.com to analyze how adolescents,
  teenagers, young adults, and adults feel about
  rap lyrics.
• You will define the following vocabulary words
  survey, analyze, controversy, lyrics, legitimate,
  sentiments

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Task (continued)

• Using the information gathered in the survey, you
  will determine if rap lyrics have protection
  under the 1st Amendment.
• You will use Power Point to create a slide show
  to summarize your conclusions.
• Ya heard!

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The Process

• Students will read, define, and analyze the 1st
  Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
• http//www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS.htm
• Students will research and analyze Supreme Court
  decisions involving 1st Amendment cases.
• http//www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS.htm
• Students will gather pictures involving the 1st
  Amendment.
• Students will create survey questions to conduct
  a survey.

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The Process (continued)

• Students will use the internet links to gather
  information to support the task.
• The end for now. Any questions

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Conclusion

• You will have learned that although opinions vary
  greatly and the controversy rages on, rappers and
  rap artists are free to express their views.
  Limiting the power to use music, speech, and art
  as self expression is called censorship which
  violates the First Amendment. Perhaps the issue
  of rap lyrics should be a moral question the
  artist must ask themselves.

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Standards

• Communication Arts
• E1c The student reads and comprehends
  informational materials to develop understanding
  and expertise and produces written or oral work
  that relates or summarizes information
• E3b The student participates in group meetings.
• Social Studies
• 1 US History
• 5 Civics