Free Expression Nailed Down to Eight

The first amendment guarantees our right to free expression and free association, which means that the government does not have the right to forbid us from saying what we like and writing what we like; meaning we can take part in demonstrations, protests, organizations, clubs, and rallies. The freedom of expression stemming from the first amendment is composed of eight different values, including discovery of truth, participation in self-government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, check on governmental power, promote tolerance, promote innovation, and protect dissent. The one that stuck out to me the most was individual self-fulfillment and or self-actualization.

Self-actualization is free speech that enables individuals to express themselves and thereby create their own identity and freedom of speech becomes an aspect of human dignity, human agency, and autonomy. This grants citizens the right to express who they are and what they believe through expression without being struck down by the government. Meaning that I can go to a public university and walk around school with armbands or bandanas with pictures that say "stop provoking Iran" and I would be perfectly within my rights to express my disbelief and disliking with the provocation of Iran.

Although private colleges and universities have policies set in place to limit freedom of expression on campus, doesn't mean it's impossible, and by having this right allows me the chance to figure out who I am through expressing my beliefs, my passions, and even maybe dislike for certain news stories, policies, or laws that are going on in society.

Without the value of self-actualization within free expression, we would no longer be able to identify who we are while also trying to thrive encompassed in society and their would be a lack of art, music, and professional demonstrations taking a stand against the rest of society.