What I've Learned From Class

 What I've Learned from Class

The main things I have learned from this class are the six freedoms, the shield of the 1st Amendment, compelled speech and compelled affirmation of belief, state action doctrine, and the freedom of the press. By learning each of this things I have come to understand the rights of the First Amendment and how they aid us in our everyday lives and how it will aid me when I pursue my career as a journalist. 

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Six Freedoms & The Shield of the 1st Amendment

The six freedoms are the list of six things the First Amendment grants us the right to do. Freedom from religion, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition. In each of these rights we are given the freedom to choose our own religion, one is not appointed to society but the nation, we have the freedom to speak out minds however we please, the freedom to write and publish issues we want to vocalize, the freedom to assemble in a group setting and discuss those topics, and the freedom to protest our government if we do not agree with what they are saying. These six freedoms are the foundation of our nation and it is what makes American, America. 

The shelf of the First Amendment is a infographic shaped as a triangle. At the top point we have speech and press, in the right corner we have assembly and petition, and in the left corner we have establishment and free exercise (separation from the church and state). In the middle we have the zone of autonomy, this graphic reminds us which freedoms con inside with each other, but also reminds us what our duty is as citizens of America. 

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Compelled Speech & Compelled Affirmation of Belief & State Action Doctrine 

The understanding of compelled speech and compelled affirmation of belief are incredibly important because it helps us understand if the government is manipulating your words in anyway. The definition is; when the government forces you to say something you don't want to say. 

The state action doctrine is also important to know because it helps us understand our rights. It is: with out government involvement no constitutional claim can be made because only the government can violate your constitutional rights; therefore the first amendment doesn't reach private actors. 

In learning all of this in class I now confidently understand what my first amendment rights are and what they allow me to do, and how they protect me as a U.S citizen.