The document discusses freedom of expression as protected by the First Amendment. It defines freedom of expression as the right to express oneself without government imposition. It then outlines some of the specific liberties protected by the First Amendment, such as freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly. While freedom of expression allows people to express themselves, it also allows the expression of hurtful speech like bullying. However, it also enables positive forms of expression and the creation of communities for support.

1. The FREEDOM
to Express....
An exclusive civil liberties presentation
powered by:
Miss Student X's brain

2. What in the world....
Question one: "What is freedom of
expression?"
• Sums up all the liberties mentioned in the
First Amendment
• Your right to be who you are, express what
you want without being imposed on by
Government

3. Still can't get a
clear picture?

4. Ok...It's starting to make a little more
sense now..
Question two: "What exact liberties are in
this First Amendment you speak of?"
Simple.
• Freedom of: speech, religion, the press, and
association/assembly

5. Oh. But.....what makes expression
so special..
Question three: "Why did you choose the
topic of Expression?"
• It doesn't have to be on creative terms nor does it
even have to do with self-expression. Humans express
all the time- it is life
• Here in America, we can do it in ways that would be
considered abominable in other places
• Without this freedom, 99, no...100% of our
American existence would not be as it is

6. Getting started:
ORIGINS
• Thomas Jefferson states
"A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free."
• Framers held belief that if the new U.S. citizens
fail to nurture sharing info. among themselves,
they'd be worse off than in the British monarchy
they fled
• Fled from tyranny and official control of
information

7. The Framer Fathers took
ACTION!!!
• These enlightened men, later known as
our "Founding Fathers" used their past
experiences/backgrounds to their
advantage
• Wrote into their new Constitution
• Bill of Rights came about

8. Here's proof.....

9. A Little more Insight...
• Because it was the very 1st Amendment,
it didn't exactly have to be taken to the
Court in order to become official
• However, that didn't stop citizens from
experiencing obstacles by exercising the
freedom

10. Do not Tinker Our Expression!!!
• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent
Community School District (1969)
• John Tinker, Christopher Eckhardt, Mary
Beth Tinker expelled for wearing black
armbands to school
• Symbolic protest of Vietnam War
• Exposed place/issue of Freedom of
Expression in schools (First Amendment
rights of students)

11. Well, how'd it go?
• Supreme Court held that students "do not
shed their constitutional rights at the
schoolhouse gate"
• First Amendment DOES protect public
school students' rights to express political
and social views

12. Words of the Man Himself....
— Justice Fortas, speaking for the majority
". . . In the absence of a specific showing of constitutionally valid reasons to regulate their speech,
students are entitled to freedom of expression of their views."

13. Where does EXPRESSION stand
today?
• Clearly, still important part of day to day
lives
• Basic examples such as: what to wear to
school, lingo used with friends, signing
petitions online, Wall Street protests,
social networking and what is expressed
there, etc.

14. Where does EXPRESSION stand
today?
• Though our freedom to
express does us good and
has done us well in the past
(strikes, protests that brought
about more civil liberties)
there are still negative
effects

15. Unfortunately........
• Because we have freedom to express,
that also gives some the freedom to
express hurtful things---
•Bullying in general
Cyber-bullying
•
• Bullying consists of all types of prejudice
(racism, homophobia, religious intolerance,
basic playground meanie)

16. BUT!
(Just a few examples)
• Freedom to Express is still a blessing
• Women can wear whatever they want- don't have to be
covered from head to toe- without being punished
• Individuals can create havens- a lot are
technology/media(press) driven- for those being
affected by the "bullies" who abuse their freedom to
express (LGBT communities, depression/suicide
victims, autistic support communities, and so on)

17. Here in America.....
• We are free to assemble these communities
• We are free to create social networking powered forums
• We are free to wear expressive clothing for a beautiful
cause

18. AND............
Those things are possible BECAUSE of
the freedom American citizen's have
to EXPRESS
A.K.A. the First Amendment!