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Board Of Education Vs. Fraser: Freedom Of Speech In Schools

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The First Amendment in the United States was created in 1789. Within the First Amendment is the right of religion, freedom of speech, the press, right of the people to assemble, and for people to petition the Government. Freedom of speech is linked with the freedom of religion, the press, and for the right to assemble because all of those activities involve speech in some sort of way. In the United States constitution freedom of speech was established in 1791. Freedom of speech is very controversial, therefore many Supreme Court cases have been formed over the years. The West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette was a Supreme Court case in 1943 involving the students to salute to the United States flag. The West Virginia Board of …show more content…

Fraser was a Supreme Court case in 1986 involving whether or not the First Amendment prevents schools from getting a high school student at an assembly in trouble for giving a speech that is offensive in any sexual way. At aa school, a student known as Matthew Fraser gave a speech to nominate one of the students that went to that school for elective office. As Fraser gave a speech, members of the audience felt that he was using graphically sexual metaphors. The school didn’t tolerate this so they prohibited his use of offensive language and suspended Fraser from school for two days. The Supreme Court agreed with the Bethel School District and concluded that it was appropriate for the school to commit the actions they used against Fraser (Bethel Sch. Dist. v. Fraser, …show more content…

Due to all the Supreme Court cases there have been over the years, what is free speech and what isn’t has evolved into laws. Freedom of speech includes the right to not speak, for students to share constitutional rights at school, use certain offensive words for political messages, contribute money with special regulations to political campaigns, advertise with some restrictions, and to engage in symbolic speech. Although freedom of speech has its dos, it in addition has its don’ts which includes threatening verbal language to others, distributing obscene materials, burning draft cards, for students to print articles in their school newspaper over the disagreement of the administration, making obscene speeches and promoting illegal drugs at sponsored and school events. In conclusion, you are allowed to voice your opinion as long as it doesn’t promote or involve crime ("What Does Free Speech

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