Of course, all of the Eight Values of Free Expression are incredibly important. However, I believe that the fifth one is most important, and worthy of discussion.
The 5th Value of Free Expression is about checks on governmental power and checking the function of the First Amendment. Limiting the power that the government has over the people is incredibly important, as without it, we wouldn't live in a democracy like the one we have today. With this, it is important that American citizens are educated about abuses of power and how they can be recognized. However, recognizing the issue is only half of the effort that is needed. Taking action and standing up for what you believe is right is most important. Being able to speak up against the government is what makes being a citizen of the United States such a desirable title. It is also what prevents our government leaders from gaining too much power and becoming corrupt. Corrupt political leaders will take advantage of their influence and power to make choices that only benefit the top 1%. Examples of this include when very wealthy figures in our government exploit taxes. There are many cases where people involved in politics will pay others to reduce or negate their taxes, in hopes of promoting their campaigns. It is incredibly important that U.S. citizens speak out against any type of corruption.
Amnesty International published an influential article discussing this exact situation. The first words in their website's body paragraph are "Your voice matters." in bold letters. I believe this is the perfect way to start any sort of impactful writing, as it immediately informs the reader exactly what message the author is trying to relay. Additionally, the freedom to speak up for what you believe in isn't a very common luxury. In many countries, "governments ... routinely imprison people – or worse – for speaking out" (Amnesty International 2023). True freedom of speech is not a common luxury to find in many places in the world. For example, in a communist country such as China, you are not allowed to vocalize your opinions to the government. Unlike the United States, you are not allowed to stand outside of government buildings and actually voice your opinions. Another example of this is in North Korea. If you do anything other than praise Kim Jong Un and the North Korean political leaders, then you most likely won't have a very good rest of your day. According to BBC News, whether they like it or not, people living in North Korea are required to worship Kim Jong Un with "godlike status" (Cowan). If you don't obey by his orders, you and generations of your family can be punished without mercy. Citizens of the United States need to recognize that it is a great privilege to have the rights that we do. It is important that we read and learn about how other countries treat their citizens, and why we should feel blessed to reside in a nation that gives power to the people.
Fortunately for U.S. citizens, it is encouraged that we raise our voices to help make a difference. For example, we can express our opinions at the toll booth when we vote. Nowadays, many people believe that their vote won't change much. Partially, they're correct. However, when hundreds or thousands of people act the same way, big changes can be made. This applies to small local-level elections as well as to the presidential elections. This is why even at a larger scale, your voice actually does matter. This is why registering to vote is strongly encouraged by nearly everybody. Additionally, participation forces you to pay attention to politics more, and it is always beneficial to understand what it happening in the world around you.
Nowadays, people seem to be significantly more confident when it comes to expressing their thoughts and opinions to the government. For example, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the amounts of protests and riots in just the past few years. These are mainly from the recent uprise in the BLM and LGBTQ communities. On the contrary, there have been conservative leaning protests too. A front-page example of this is the historical January 6th riot at the capital. I suppose it is partially because I am getting older, and with that comes the privilege of hearing out the events that occur across the country. TikTok, Instagram, and X are all apps I use on a regular basis that provide me with information and highlights of world-wide events. Of course, when wanting more accurate news, I turn to using more trustworthy media outlets. However, thats a discussion for another blog post. The news I hear and absorb on a daily basis actually begins to matter now for people in my age group, as we all now have the ability to express our opinions by voting in upcoming elections. This freedom drives me to care more about what happens in politics, especially on a local level.
