Free Expression: The Basics

Identity forming practices have evolved as long as life has. Today, they take the form of "free expression." Free expression has both personal (parrhesia) and public (isegoria) value — ultimately serving the greater society.

Teresa M. Bejan, the author of "Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society," wrote that a reduction of free speech and expression, can be a reduction of democracy.

"...When the rights of all become the privilege of a few, neither liberty nor equality

can last," Bejan wrote.

The quote above signals a need for widespread protection of free expression. It's with free expression that we are allowed to explore identity.

Expression is everywhere: art, books, clothing, music and even video games.

Elizabeth LaPensée and Nichlas Emmons, the co-authors of "When Rivers Were Trails," explore how a group of Indigenous people created Lessons of Our Land, in an effort to further education on Native communities. The work from "Lessons of Our Land," helped develop a game-development partnership between the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and Michigan State University.

LaPensée and Emmons' convey the importance of expression in developing and harvesting a more educated community. The example here was video games, but beyond the screen, free expression allows for a wider appreciation for culture, history and individuality.

As I explored readings outside of the required class content, I found a post from the American Civil Liberties Union — "What the First Amendment Really Protects." This post delves into the importance of the First Amendment and freedom of expression, as the cornerstone of democracy.

Democracy calls for the criticizing of elected officials and questioning the status quo. As a journalist I've covered political rallies and protests countless times — each time leaving me with goosebumps.

Power exists in the ability to think, speak and act freely. Whether one agrees with a message or not, the right to express it — and the right to oppose it — must be upheld. In fact, democracy depends on the presence of both.

While I stand firm in the belief that free expression must be protected, it is not without reservations. An ACLU post from 2018, "Free Speech Can Be Messy, but We Need It," captured my hesitations.

If one believes in the right to free speech and expression, they must also acknowledge that some will "misuse" it. Hate speech is protected, unless there is a credible threat involved.

While I could never stand behind hate speech, I stand behind the right to free speech. There are interwoven complexities, but the moment speech becomes regulated, there is a slippery slope.

Free expression can be messy. But, without it we could quickly find ourselves without individuality, culture and democracy.