Meagan's Musings

Hey friends! Let's talk about free speech.

As a journalist, the first amendment is probably my very favorite amendment, although I am personally fond of 13, 15 and 19 as well. I also think that the first amendment is the one of the most misunderstood.

It says "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."

Well, that's neat. It really is. Many immigrants to this country were fleeing religious prosecution and still today censorship is the norm in many countries (what's up China).

But let's focus on "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." In the past few weeks, freedom of speech has been a hot button issue for rednecks everywhere after Phil Robertson, patriarch of the ever-popular Duck Dynasty clan, gave an interview in GQ. In the interview, Robertson shared some graphic opinions regarding homosexuality and claimed that African Americans were both happier and holier before civil rights.

Personally, I find his views abhorrent. But I wholeheartedly believe he has the right to those views. And GQ has the right to print them. Anyone who tries to argue that right would get an earful from me.

I also firmly believe that A&E - the network which airs Duck Dynasty - has the right to suspend Robertson and even cancel the show.

Robertson was suspended soon after the interview printed and the internet went crazy. Fans claimed that A&E's decision infringed on both Robertson's right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Face palm.

No. It did not. Robertson can say anything he wants. It's the first amendment, a Constitutionally protected right. But we can look back at the text and note that nowhere does it either imply or explicitly that you will be free from consequences for your words. I am free to come into work and scream at the top of my lungs that my boss is a moron and degenerate (not Mark, of course), but he is also free to fire me for it. Religiously affiliated companies often have strict behavioral contracts including vague terminology along the lines of "don't do anything we won't like."

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Meagan's Musings