The colors red, white, and blue all have a great significance in America; hence it represents Old Glory and symbolize the liberties of the nation. All, in which, with blood, tears, and sweat were fought for. However, when it comes to burning the flag, is it considered a sign of disrespect and hatred towards all the sedulous founding fathers that brought upon this nation? “Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and right to petition” are all part to the First Amendment to the part of the United States Constitution and the United States Bill of Rights. Therefore, when mentioning the burning of the American flag, the action is fully supported under freedom of speech and expression. It is also because of the first amendment, that I believe the government should maintain the right of the individuals to express their dissatisfaction with the government, through the act of flag burning and not amend the constitution to make such right illegal.
Though many people may see the burning of the flag as a disrespectful notion towards the nation, it can be considered a way of expression. As stated in the United States Constitution “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people…”. The First Amendment
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Since by burning the flag one is able to manifest the first amendment and express their freedom of speech and expression. Also the burning of the flag, though many may see as disrespectful and treasonous, is an act of expression. Which can be completely supported when explaining the definition of treason. Lastly, the burning of the flag allows different types of people and groups to express their ideas, without the anxiety of consequences. When it comes to the burning of the flag we must learn to tolerate others perspectives and ideas of the
Opponents of the flag, on the other hand, recognize this racist connotation. They see the flag as a lingering emblem of a war that divided the nation and was fought in the name of slavery and
It is clear to see that flag burning causes tension, good tension as MLK would call it, that causes attention to be drawn to a topic and forces people to acknowledge the problem. Destroying the American flag is a powerful method of protest that says “This flag is useless because America is not what it is supposed to stand
The general argument made by author William J. Brennan in his work, “Majority Opinion,” is that it is legal to burn the flag if it is a form of political protest. More specifically, Brennan argues that we can not criminally punish people for burning a flag: the only thing we can do is convince them that they are wrong. He writes that they only thing we can do is “ Persuade them that they are wrong.” In this passage, Brennan suggests that criminally punishing a person for burning the flag will decrease the values of the flag by opposing the First Amendment. In conclusion, Brennan’s belief is that we should not punish people for burning the flag, but convince them that they are wrong.
We believe this because the desecration of the flag tarnishes its value, the flag is our very own unique symbol, and it is the symbol that change 13 fledging colonies into a world power. The desecration of the American Flag or any flag tarnishes
The Court ruled that yes, burning an American flag was symbolic
Although some people believe it is disrespectful to burn the flag, we as American have the right to protest in a non-violent manner. Whether someone believe burning the flag is alright or not, they still want to be treated equal despite their
People may argue that the Confederate Flag is a racist hate symbol, but ultimately the flag’s roots are benign because it symbolizes history of war, southern pride, and secession of the confederate states. Being entitled to your own opinion is not wrong in itself, but once things are brought out of proportion it can harm others physically or emotionally. Learning the background of the Confederate flag can help some realize its true meaning and prevent more controversy. Throughout many years of our society, the Confederate Flag has been argued as hurtful or
It is an expressed opinion that is protected by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. Johnson had full rights to burn the flag and say whatever he wanted about it or the government and it was his freedom to do so. Even though it is morally wrong and usually an unacceptable behavior, I believe that the Court did the right thing. They had to put aside personal beliefs and values and interpret the Constitution the way it was written even if it allows people to be a disgrace to the country itself.
The first amendment, Freedom of Expression, gives any American citizen the right to state their beliefs. The Confederate Flag is a southern belief. The flag did not go against the constitution in the Civil War, and it does not now. The government also does not have the right to take away our freedoms. However, some view the flag as a racist symbol.
The contest is really for empire on the side of the North, and for Independence on that of the South. - London Times, November 7, 1861. The Confederate Flag should not be banned. It 's a part of Southern Heritage, part of our history. Why ban the just the Confederate Flag, when the other flags could offend someone else? I have a right to freedom of speech, to say as I please.
The confederate flag is immediately recognizable in the back window of a pickup truck or portrayed on the t-shirt for Lynrd Skynrd and Credence Clearwater, but has come under stark criticism. The argument is a multi-faceted assault, by, both restricting first amendment rights of free speech, restricting a symbol of southern heritage, and a person ’s right not to feel threatened by an assumed racist epithet. It is a simple piece of fabric, the red and blue Southern Cross, which divides a nation much as it did 150 years ago when it symbolized the fight against oppressive laws. Many believe that the Confederate Flag is representative of the patriots who were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the nation and individual rights the founding fathers envisioned, however today, liberals and minorities have made the claim, the confederate flag is racist rather than a simple symbol of southern pride.
The fact the founding fathers of the United States, risked their lives traveling on a dangerous journey in a hope of finding a place where they can express themselves freely without any punishment indicates how valuable this Amendment is and it is sad that it is not
The Importance of the 1st Amendment In 1787 our founding fathers assembled the constitution of the United States of America. Of this which contains the most important document to the American citizen, the Bill of rights. The first Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” These freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights are often known as freedom of expression. These rights are most important to a truly free society. The first amendment provides us with new ideas and dismisses the fear of punishment
Jackson Rice Mrs. Mininni English III Honors April 28th, 2023 The legality of burning the flag is not a debated subject, but the question of should it be legal is. Burning the flag is protected under the First Amendment; however, a recent poll shows that a majority of U.S citizens disagree. Burning the flag in a form of protest should not be legal because the flag is a symbol of the country, honoring the flag demonstrates loyalty to the country, and the flag honors the sacrifice that soldiers have paid for this country.
The burning of the American flag should not be protected by the First Amendment. Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted of burning the flag in violation of the Texas Law. After a march, he burned the flag in protest during the 1984 Republican National Convention. No one was hurt during this demonstration.