Protecting the Freedom of Expression

Protecting the freedom of expression on college campuses and all places in public should be protected by the first amendment. As long as the way of expressing ones views does not deface property or physically harm other people. There is no way to regulate and if it were to be regulated, that would by definition inhibit the freedom and protection granted to Americans by the first amendment. No matter what is said there is someone somewhere who would take offense to that which is being said. Black and white racial slurs can be taken offensively, but are also commonly used as a joke by those taking offense to it. There cannot be a law made to regulate even black and white racial slurs, where it ok for those who take offence to it to be able to use it with each other. However it would not allow other people to use those same exact words because they were offended. Since, it is impossible to tell what is offensive the freedom of expression cannot be regulated. Even if just black and white “offensive” terms are no longer protected by the first amendment, there would be more and more terms and sayings that would have to be added every day. Certain stereo types can be taken offensive also. It is likely that me being a white male living in the south, I could be “offended” by someone saying nice boots sarcastically or “nice hat” or even “where is your horse”. Almost anything circling around the idea of free expression has to potential to be taken offensively, depending on what is said, how it is being said, or what you are displaying. These actions do not have to be taken offensively or with the intention to hurt someone. If someone is to choose to abuse the freedom of expression it is their responsibility to pay the consequences. There does not need to be formal consequences through the justice department, as in the case of violating the right to bear arms and shooting someone. However there are informal consequences, it is not a good idea to make fun of a specific race in a not so good part of town. There should be the restraint on a person that something might happen to me if I do that. It is also based on the person to try and not “offend” someone. But society as a whole needs to not worry about being offended by anything and everything somebody could possibly be offended by. When Bok, in “Protecting Freedom of Expression on Campus”, uses the example of a very common topic of what should and should not be protected by the first amendment he uses the Confederate Flag. There is no need to sensor the Confederate Flag. Just because the South had slaves and they were fighting a civil war it does not inherently mean if I wave this flag “I hate black people” or “I want slaves”. In most circumstances the Confederate Flag is a show of southern pride. It is no different than having a Texas flag displayed. The people who are offended by the flag have no idea what the intentions of the person displaying the flag. A few years ago there was an LSU Confederate Flag and the campus banned that flag, until the black student union petitioned for it to be allowed again, “Due to Southern Pride and to remember history”. Since the first amendment cannot be regulated there is no need to take away the freedom that most Americans do not abuse to try and curve the Americans who do abuse it and will not even fallow whatever laws are proposed anyway.