"When people hear the phrase "freedom of speech", most think it means that an individual has the right to say what they want, when they want and where they want - and to a large extent, that is true.
But there is another, perhaps more important aspect.
I wrote the other day that "BlackLivesMatter" had become a new oath, something that was required to be proclaimed publicly in order to gain access to certain organizations, to pursue commercial activities and to be granted membership to certain groups.
We also hear from these groups that "Silence is Violence" - there's a reason for that.
They are trying to compel speech - but only speech of which they approve.
The other aspect of the right to free speech also applies to this new "oath" in that our First Amendment guarantees not only the right to speak, it protects the right to not speak.
The other aspect of the right to free speech also applies to this new "oath" in that our First Amendment guarantees not only the right to speak, it protects the right to not speak.
Americans may not to be compelled by society or government to utter speech with which we disagree.
This is why people cannot be forced to utter the Pledge of Allegiance or even stand for the Star Spangled Banner...Read all.
