Freedom Of Speech Vs Civility By Ann Wallace Scott Summary

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We go on about our day, not realizing how much freedom we truly have. As Americans, we never have to fear persecution for speaking out against our elected government officials. We can vote for who we want, practice our faith, and come and go as we please from across the country. However, can the same be said for the youth of America, specifically students of American high schools? In her article "Freedom of Speech v. Civility," I argue that Ann Wallace Scott employs logical reasoning to prompt a more profound conversation among students about the boundaries of free speech and other rights within American high schools. Starting with the use of probing questions throughout the article, the author aims to shed light on the issue of restricting …show more content…

This portrayal suggests a lack of awareness of their rights, which contradicts reality. Nowadays, young people are actively engaging in politics and protesting against government injustices. Despite this, it is startling to learn about cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines (Scott 2), where a student faced punishment for participating in a silent protest. Despite the student's willingness to discuss the issue with the school, they were still suspended. However, the Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of the student, establishing that students are protected under the Constitution. This landmark case serves as a precedent for future instances defending students' freedom of speech. Furthermore, Scott presents several cases in the article where outcomes differed significantly from the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines ruling. Instances of speech restrictions extended beyond school grounds to off-campus events. This ongoing suppression of student voices prompted parents and school boards to voice their concerns. For example, in the 2006 case of Gals v. Marinel, a student wore a shirt criticizing then-President Bush with vulgar language, resulting in disciplinary