Key Post: Eight Values of Free Expression

The Eight Values of Free Expression are important to free speech and expression. The two that I aligned with the most are Individual Self-Fulfillment and Stable Change. The first speech theory that I connected with on a personal level is Individual Self-Fulfillment. I connected with this theory, because I find it important to have a way of self expression, while also being able to discover who you are on a personal level. Individual Self-Fulfillment is important to the constitution, because of the right to free speech. The right to free speech is important, because having the ability to speak your mind without fear of judgement or dismissal of your opinion is necessary to achieve individual self-fulfillment. The need for free speech is important to the framework of the United States, because it is a right to people through the constitution.

I personally achieve self-fulfillment when I am able to connect with individuals who have similar ideals to me, as well as people with different ideals.  I believe it is important to be around all different types of ideals and opinions to become a well-rounded person. The need for self-fulfillment is key to the proper function of the United States, because we as human beings need the ability to express ourselves, while also having a safe space to express our opinions. The need for individual self-fulfillment is also important when it comes to community. For example, in communities all over the world we all have the common thread to want to be around people who align with our views. In conclusion, self-fulfillment is an important theory, because it allows for people to speak freely, without any consequences or preconceived notions about the person and their opinions. 
The second speech theory I align with is stable change, or the safety valve. I believe stable change is important because it allows people to express their opinions and feelings of alienation. Stable change is also important, because it can give people a chance to express their discontent with their place within the United States. I find myself aligning with stable change when I think of the legal field in America. For example, according to the American Bar Association in the US women make up 41% of all lawyers, and Black people only make up 5% of lawyers. As a Black woman I am underrepresented in the legal field and I hope to change that I am continuing to progress through my career. However I have grievances with that, because Black Americans are underrepresented in the legal field.

Organizations like the National Black Law School Association are a stepping stone in the right direction for Black People and Black Women to have equal representation in the legal field, while also allowing for other minorities fighting for justice in the legal system to feel more represented by the people who are fighting to get them justice. In closing, stable change is an important speech theory, because it allows for people to speak their mind and create a safe space for injustices to be spoken out against.

The Founding Era and the Supreme Court

The history and workings of the Supreme Court are a staple to the United States and the entire justice system. Throughout part 1 and part 2 of the film, I gained a better understanding of the Supreme Court and the reason that the US Supreme Court is the most powerful branch of the government. The Supreme Court is composed of nine of the most powerful individuals in the justice system. In the film, I also learned about the responsibility of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitution. The Supreme Court’s responsibility to uphold the constitution and use the amendments as a tool to decide the outcome of cases is an important part of their job.

 The most interesting thing I learned in the video about the Supreme Court is that their court has become a model for other courts worldwide. The second most interesting fact I learned about the court is that there have been over 100 judges appointed overtime and they all serve for an average of sixteen years. I also learned that the Supreme Court is an influential power in the judicial system, because their written opinions bind all lower courts as they decide future cases which sets a precedent. The Supreme Court is responsible for giving equal consideration to all their cases to ensure that all cases receive an equal and well thought out decision. The Supreme Court also has a main responsibility to consider the legal questions.

Lastly, one of the most important take-aways that I learned about the Supreme Court is that they are aided by law clerks when Justices write opinions, and use the law clerks help in researching and drafting the opinions. The Supreme Court overtime has been shaped by some powerful judges from all different walks of life to embody the United States and its constituents. For example, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to name a few of the influential women of the Supreme Court who I view as very important to my own personal journey in the legal field, and an important Justice during their time on the court or currently serving on the Court. 

My Top 5 Sources of News and Information

The top five new sources I have chosen where I get my news and information are CNN, The Washington Post, TikTok, Instagram, and WXII 12 News.  I chose these five sources because they are my mainstream sources for news. 

CNN is a great news source that I enjoy engaging with. I watch CNN often, because I feel that it gives well-rounded news. I appreciate CNN, because it gives me a better understanding of the current political landscape. CNN is a news source that I engage with every so often, because it has well-rounded news anchors and presents the news in a manner that is easy to understand. CNN also provides perspectives from many different political figures to give their opinions and thoughts.
 

My second news source is the Washington Post . I enjoy the Washington Post, because it is another news source that I feel gives a well-rounded perspective on the world of politics and other issues. I believe the Washington Post also gives an understanding of the political landscape from the perspective of many different journalists. The Washington Post is another source like CNN that provides different perspectives and views on politics and the US government as an entity.

                                              

My third source is TikTok. I understand that TikTok is a social platform, but it has become much more than that. TikTok has also become another news source for me. I use TikTok as a news source because of the many different perspectives that come up on the platform at the swipe of a screen. For example, I have encountered videos about people’s political views, fashion, and lifestyle tips that have been informative and expressive. 

    

My fourth source is Instagram. In the same realm as TikTok, Instagram is a social platform. However, it has grown to be a place to voice your political opinion. Instagram can also be used as a platform to express your opinions in any way a person sees fit or appropriate for themselves. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are important for creating an access point for all people to voice their opinions. 

My fifth and final source is WXII 12 News. WXII 12 news is a local source that I used being from Winston-Salem. WXII is a great source, because it mainly focuses on providing news to the triad area and more specifically Winston-Salem. The local news is important to me, being that I am from the area. I also appreciate WXII for the non-partisan view it has when addressing politics.