Blog Post #4

 First Amendment in our Lives Today 

Black Lives Matter Movement 

    The first amendment rights are scattered throughout this country and are practiced by many people everyday without them even knowing it. When posting on social media of your beach vacation or of a funny story a friend told you is exercising your first amendment rights by having freedom of speech. The first amendment has been a big part of our society recently and the one I am focusing on is the Black Lives Matter protests. There are 6 different rights/ clauses under the first amendment that include freedom from religion (establishment clause), freedom of religion (practice of the clause), freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition. 

    

    The Black Lives Matter movement is an example in today's society of the American people practicing their first amendment by speaking their minds, assembling together, and protesting for the things that these people feel very strongly about. Being able to come together and spend their time chanting and bringing awareness to a problem that dates back to the beginnings of our country was needed to get people to listen. Freedom of assembly and protest were used by the public in all 50 states on this matter and have brought light to this topic to leaders of this country to have them make a change. According to statistics only 1 in 10 Americans know that freedom of assembly is a part of our first amendment rights and now it is being shown all around the country. These protests also bring up points from the 8 speech theories the theory to promote tolerance from all of the hate speech connected to this topic but how the world needs to be able to evolve and grow through the hate and become a better place for future generations. Bringing awareness to the tough topics today are the things that are needed in order to make that change happen and people are going to have a problem with this change but when this country gets through the storm it will become better.