Understanding Your Right to Free Speech

by Ganchy, Sally; Isler, Claudia

• ISBN13: 9781448846672
• ISBN10: 1448846676
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-08-15
• Publisher: Rosen Pub Group

Summary

It is often observed that Americans passionately believe in their own right to free speech but can be quick to demand censure of anyone else's speech that they don't agree with or are offended by. This goes straight to the thorny heart of the free speech debatehow far should society and government go to protect a citizen's right to utter all kinds of free speech, including profane, unpopular, revolutionary, or blasphemous. Who gets to decide what is acceptable and unacceptable, popular or unpopular speechand are wordless actions and symbolic gestures considered types of speech to be protected as well? This book tackles complicated questions and reveals the wide ranges of answers that have been provided by politicians, thinkers, courts, and average citizens over the nation's history. Historically rich and up-to-the-minute, thought-provoking and conscience stirring, this book illuminates free speech issues. Includes complete text of the Constitution Preamble and the Bill of Rights.

Table of Contents

The origins of the First Amendment

Speech acts and the limits of free speech

Free speech during wartime

Political protest

Defining obscenity

Speaking in symbols

Protecting hate speech

Freedom of speech and your daily life

The Bill of Rights

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