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Derek Dotolo
D. Watkins
TR 10:30
January 21, 2015

The freedom to voice and write our opinion on a subject is a powerful tool
that we, as a society, must make sure it is never lost. It was the first amendment
placed by our four fathers for a reason. They, just like me, believed in many things
but a persons right to be heard by the government through free speech and press
was one they felt the strongest about. That is why it was first law placed into the
constitution. It allows us to voice or write out our own opinion, good or bad, on an
issue. This amendment has constantly been challenged over the years in court
cases; deciding what actions truly fall under the right of free speech. All while our
own government looks for its own ways to weasel their way around this law.
Governments can make new ideas easily vanish that might promote a new harmful
change to their way of governing. Distraction is the largest part of their success in
passing hurtful laws, spending vast amounts of money, and convicting people who
oppose them. Change is the strongest tool we possess as a society. With it we can
find the right balance to function and grow properly as a country. I think a
governments worst nightmare is a society, as a majority, that is constantly
monitoring them; not distracted by games and entertainment. It would then be
more challenging for congressmen to pass bills that chip away at our amendments,
shrinking our rights as humans. Our nation needs to focus more on what laws our
own government is passing and how much money is being spent. You dont just

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become 18 trillion dollars in debt as a country over night. We need to work and
inform each other more on what the people we elect are doing in office. We must
cooperate with each other. As humans, we are a more social species that at times
have underlying urges to talk to or be around one other. I personally enjoy chatting
with my fellow peers, hearing what they have to say and what their views on
different topics are. When people are communicating, sharing their own opinions
and beliefs, that is when ideas can be created. Thoughts can also formed by just a
single mind but often that person pulls in others to help grow and better the original
idea. Once an opinion is voiced publicly, either discussed in person or uploaded to
the Internet, others that feel the same way can help support the new thought. The
more people that favor and stand by the belief the stronger it can become; so it is
not easily ignored. I have shared and stood by many ideas throughout my life, such
as attending a gay rights protest with my cousins to support their belief. Being
surrounded by hundreds of people that all feel the same about an issue can be a
very powerful feeling. Theres a slight euphoric feeling when standing up for what
you believe in and verbally announcing it. Peacefully protesting by gathering in
large numbers is the most effective way to show we are not happy with an issue as
a society. It may take a large grouping of people and time for the issue to be dealt
with as corrupt congressmen will try to ignore the protest as long as possible. Never
must we use violent protesting as it only causes vandalism and more problems than
beforehand. It also gives the police a reason to arrest and disperse crowds; at which
it becomes harder to get the issue changed. The city of Ferguson, with all the
vandalism and crime, is a perfect example of protests gone violent. Violent protest
against the police or government only harms ourselves in the end. We have already
had one civil war, we do not need another one. This is a beautiful nation that allows

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us opportunities and rights that some countries may never have. We must protect
our constitutional rights as they are what gives us our freedoms to enjoy life and
live however we choose. Problems will always arise in our legal system, as nothing
is perfect. I believe it is our duty to band together, voice our concerns and promote
a change to resolve the issue. No matter what race, ethnicity, gender, or sex
someone is we are all still human beings living on a giant rock together.