My One of Eight Values of Free Expression

    

The phrase 'We the People' at the beginning of the United States Constitution emphasizes that the government's power comes from the citizens and exists to serve them.

When I read about the Eight Values of Free Expression, the two theories that resonated with me the most were Individual Self-Fulfillment(4) and Promote Tolerance(6). While all of the values are important, these two feel the most personal because they affect everyday life, especially for students. They remind me that free expression is not only about politics or court cases. It is also about being able to be yourself, share your ideas, and learn how to live alongside people who think differently than you do.

  

 The first value that stood out to me was Individual Self-Fulfillment. This theory argues that freedom of speech allows people to express themselves and develop their own identity. I think this is one of the most important reasons for protecting free expression because people need the freedom to discover who they are. Whether someone is expressing their beliefs, sharing creative work, or simply speaking their mind, free expression helps them grow as individuals.

    As a college student, I see this value constantly. Students come from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. In classes, clubs, and on social media, people express opinions that may be different from my own. Being able to communicate openly allows everyone to learn more about themselves and others. I know that I have become more confident in sharing my ideas because I have been given opportunities to speak and participate in discussions. If people felt afraid to express themselves, they might never fully develop their own identity or discover what they truly believe.

    I also think this theory is especially relevant today because social media gives people many opportunities to share their voices. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube allow people to express their creativity, opinions, and experiences with large audiences. Although these platforms have problems, they also show how important self-expression is to modern life. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), freedom of speech protects our right to express ourselves, even when our views are unpopular or controversial (ACLU Free Speech Resources).

    The second value that resonates with me is Promote Tolerance. This theory argues that protecting speech, even speech that we strongly disagree with, helps society become more tolerant. At first, this idea seemed strange to me. Why should society protect speech that is offensive or upsetting? However, the more we as a class talked about it, the more I understood the logic behind it. When people encounter different viewpoints, they have the opportunity to learn why certain ideas are harmful and why others are beneficial. Instead of suppressing disagreement, society can respond through discussion, education, and criticism.

    I see this value in action on college campuses and online discussions. Students often debate issues related to politics, social justice, education, and public policy. Sometimes these conversations become uncomfortable, but discomfort is not always a bad thing. It can encourage people to think critically and better understand perspectives that differ from their own. A society where people are never exposed to different viewpoints may become more divided because people stop listening to one another.

    One recent example is the ongoing debates about speech on college campuses. Universities often struggle to balance creating an inclusive environment while protecting free expression. Organizations such as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) argue that students benefit when a variety of viewpoints can be discussed openly, even when those viewpoints are controversial (https://www.thefire.org). These debates show that tolerance is not always easy, but it remains an important goal in a democratic society.

    Overall, Individual Self-Fulfillment and Promote Tolerance are the free expression values that mean the most to me. Self-fulfillment reminds me that people need freedom to develop their identities and express who they are. Tolerance reminds me that living in a diverse society requires respecting the rights of others to express different opinions. Together, these values help create a society where people can be both individuals and members of a larger community.