Dear Editor,
We would be no better than a detestable dictatorship without the First Amendment. The Legal Information Institute classifies the First Amendment as the freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the ability to petition their government. This is what makes America truly free. Not the right of gun ownership, not the right to own land, not even the right to have food whenever you’re hungry. It’s the right to be yourself.
Freedom of speech is part of our everyday life. It even comes up in school, work, etc. Hate speech and disagreements are protected in the First Amendment, of course, but it is a small price to pay for having freedom. The First Amendment allows you to express your ideals and opinions, which is crucial for a functioning society.
For example, North Korea is the opposite of a free country. This is because they are limited to their own leader’s beliefs. If not, then you face unjust consequences. If you’re in a country where the population is too scared of their own government, you could never be free. All in all, we should be thankful for the right to have freedom of speech.
Libertas, justitia, veritas,
Elwood J. Moore
Elwood J. Moore is an 8th grader at Ripon Middle School.
