The First Amendment declares several freedoms of the person. It prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
One could say, the First Amendment (FA) sets apart the USA and other nations or countries. With this said, few students grades 8-12 recognize the substantial weight of the amendment. The following discussion offers a variety of responses from campus students and staff.
Eighth grader, Stephen Walters, expresses what the FA means to him.
“This amendment is important because it gives the undenied freedoms to the US citizens,” Walters said. “These freedoms provide the lifestyles we lead today.”
Teacher Kori Friesen explains why it is so important we recognize the power of the FA.
“So few people understand the trials and the fight our ancestors had to endure to get us these freedoms,” Friesen said. “This is what our country stands for and what sets apart from everyone else.”
Friesen expounds upon her appreciation of the amendment.
“To me the freedom of religion is the most important, allowing me to believe what I want to believe, and that i can do that freely,” Friesen said. “It allows us as americans the ability to be what we want and not be under control like some other regions in the world.”
Junior, Jordan Castro shares his views on the FA.
“These freedoms are so important to me because it means I can live here without persecution of religion and I can practice my faith with out fear,” Castro said. “I can speak my mind and not be afraid of it being held against me.”
Senior, Jieun Seo, having lived in Korea, expresses how these freedoms have impacted her life.
“Coming from such a different culture, it is amazing to have these freedoms and abilities,” Seo said. “People do not realize just how fortunate they are, especially because where I am from we have the same rights but not the freedom with out persecution.”
Senior Jon Agoexplains how this amendment will impact his future.
“I want to be able to publicly express myself and be who I am,” Ago said. “I am going into a compute programing profession and I want to do my job with the freedoms available to me.”
Although the First Amendment is important, some students don’t have any idea what it is. Various students were asked what the FA was and they stumbled around not having a straight forward answer.
“It is so sad that today the First Amendment is forgotten or even failed to be recognized among the younger generations,” Friesen said. “I believe that the reason for this is that the younger generations are entitled due to the passed down nature of the freedoms rather them fighting for them.”
Junior high teacher, Eric Witters explains why he believes the younger generations have a lesser understanding of the amendment.
“I do not think it has anything to do with the teachers,” Witters said. “I think it has to do with the particular individuals willingness and openness to learn. It is the teachers job to help the student understand and know; it is he students job to learn and retain.”
Foreign exchange student, Toby Pan, speaks about why America stands out in the minds of young people.
“There are so many opportunities as well as freedoms,” Pan said. “Where I am from people would do anything to live in freedom from persecution.”
Sophomore Bailey Broganexpresses his thoughts on the FA.
“I know we have freedoms that people in other countries don’t have the privilege of having,” Brogan said. “I have the freedom to express what I want whether it be my career or faith or schooling.”
Principal Todd Bennett explains why the First Amendment is so important to the schooling system.
“The First Amendment is so crucial especially to the private schooling system,” Bennett said. “We have the ability to serve the God of our choice and bring it into education, nowhere else in the world is that offered.”
The Feather celebrates Scholastic Journalism Week along with thousands of schools nationwide. And while the staff appreciates the First Amendment, it is up to all to affirm its principles and put them into action. It is a privilege. As a result, consider what is your civic responsibility to share with the greater community?
