Examples Of Free Speech Crisis In America

In this article, "The Free Speech Crisis in America," the author, Adam Kirsch, discusses how many Americans feel that it is getting harder to speak freely in society. The article explains why Americans are feeling uneasy about free speech at a time when it has never been more abundant. People are less worried about government censorship than about navigating the unwritten rules of socially acceptable speech. The article looks at the different types of freedoms that are guaranteed in the First Amendment, and examines how Americans view freedom of speech in the present day. The use of logos, ethos, and pathos are used all over this article to argue that while there is no free speech crisis in America in the traditional sense, navigating the

Kirsch points out that freedom of assembly and freedom of the press are guaranteed in the First Amendment and that people have exercised these rights extensively in recent years. However, the author also acknowledges that Americans feel uneasy about free speech in the current climate, even though the threat to free speech has little to do with government control. "Violating those rules doesn't bring jail time, but the prospect of losing your reputation or your job has a chilling effect all on its own." (Kirsch 2020 para. 5) Krisch argues that navigating the unwritten rules of socially acceptable speech can be difficult, which has led to many Americans feeling that it is harder to speak freely in

"Staying on the right side of the line of permissible speech can be difficult," (Kirsch 2020 para. 5) which conveys a sense of anxiety and fear. Kirsch also mentions Colin Kaepernick, who was not hired by any NFL team after he knelt during the national anthem as a protest against racism. Kirsch notes that the summer of 2020, a whole NBA team knelt with the support of their franchises. The author also mentions Grant Napear, a TV announcer, who was fired after he tweeted "ALL LIVES MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!" (Kirsch 2020 para.6) By mentioning these examples, the author is able to appeal to readers' emotions and convey a sense of