There are two threats in present-day America to our right to “freedom of speech.” Number one is the practice of saying someone has the right to own someone else’s words. Number two is the practice of trying to shut down someone that disagrees with someone else’s opinion.

Everyone owns their own words. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. Everyone has the duty to research words, sentences, thoughts, concepts, and arguments to find out for themselves what is right and what is wrong. No one person, group, or political side has the right to own someone’s words. If you don’t believe me, check out the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In the Bill of Rights, it says: Congress shall make no law….abridging the freedom of speech. Our country, the United States of America, was built on the idea that everyone has the right to own their own words.

How does someone try to take away your freedom of speech? They claim they own your words by trying to embarrass you. They try to make you look like you are contradicting your words to make you look foolish. They try to take your right away when they “judge you and label you” if you should be so bold as to look like you disagree with them, or if you should appear to be a “free thinker.” In a free society, it’s useful to hear both sides of an issue to decide what is right and what is wrong.

Homeschoolers: draw/color an illustration and record your observations of this current event.