Freedom of Speech

           A students right to free speech should be restricted due to public safety. There are things that should not be restricted. Opinions for one thing should not be restricted. Sharing your opinions in class is encouraged so why should it not be encouraged when you are outside of class. This said there are other ways to express your opinions where it will not be disruptive to others, or put a bad image upon the school the student is attending.

         Making a fourteen foot banner saying “Bong Hits 4 Jesus,” is comical, but not expressing the political view of legalizing marijuana. This was not the proper way of expressing his opinion. To make matters worse, the banner was demanded to put away, though he refused. He stood by the sign, thinking that this was freedom of speech and they could not control it. Being in school, not just on school grounds, caused the school to still be liable for this student and force him to take down the sign. The school wanted the sign down based on the fact that this sign was being broadcasted across the us and reflected a negative image on the school.

         On the other hand, students were protesting against the Vietnam War. They decided to put on a black armband to show their support against the war. This is an example of how freedom of speech is used in a positive way. This was not a threat to public safety and allowed for the students to express their symbolic views in a peaceful way.

         There is no way of drawing a clear line of what is allowed to be said or symbolized based upon your views. I believe that people should be able to express their views when they want as long as it is at the appropriate time and place. Once again what is appropriate to express is different based on the individual person, so it is hard to draw a clear line.