Values of Free Expression

    The Eight Values of Free Expression are a marketplace of ideas, participation in self-government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, checking on government power, promotion of tolerance, promotion of innovation, and protection of dissent. The value of the free expression that resonates most with me is individual fulfillment. Free speech enables us as individuals to have the freedom to express ourselves and create our own identity. As a college student, we are all going through a time in our life where we are discovering who we truly are as individuals and becoming that version of ourselves. The branch of freedom of speech becomes an aspect of our own human dignity, agency, and autonomy. This theory also stands out as the most important and personal to me. It is crazy that even today, we are still discussing the topic of human agency and autonomy in the United States or anywhere in the world. 

It is such a simple concept that people should have rights over what they do with their own life and body. 

There is not much more to the topic. It should end there. 

    This theory covers very simple acts like what you choose to post on social media all the way to the topic of consent. For example, when you post a photo on Instagram or discuss some of your opinions on Twitter, that is a part of your free speech. You can say what's on your mind with no repercussions because the constitution says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." 

    As citizens of the United States no matter our race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or religion we should all have the right to choose how we live our lives and what do with our bodies. Body autonomy is the right for a person to govern what happens to their body without the external influence of others. Today, other people are much too concerned by the action of others, they think that just because their religion or political standpoint does not condone a certain lifestyle, that they are able to dictate how they live their life. Putting yourself in the shoes of the other person, how would that make you feel? To have your rights stripped away from you just because of the way that you choose to live your life or even parts of your life that are out of your control.