These freedoms can help define who we are as individuals in a complex, changing, self-governing society.
The highest purpose of free expression is to bring about change in society. The First Amendment contains five different freedoms that allow us to do that. Freedom of religion allows us to develop our own values. Freedom of speech lets us express our views and values even when they’re critical of current systems. The freedom of the press allows us to get uncensored information about the world around us. Then you have freedoms of petition and assembly, which allow us to gather with like-minded people and ask for change. These are our most vital tools to having and living in the society that we want.
— Lata Nott, Freedom Forum fellow for the First Amendment
The First Amendment is the ultimate embodiment of just “feeling free.” In addition to being able to say what I want to say, I can read what I want to read, watch what I want to watch and listen to what I want to listen to. Now, I may not want to read a particular book, watch a particular television program or movie, or listen to a particular song or podcast, but it’s an exceedingly comforting feeling to know that my chosen book, program, movie, song or podcast is always waiting for me when I want it.
— Kevin Goldberg, Freedom Forum First Amendment specialist
The five freedoms protected by the First Amendment are what define us as a nation. They are unique in history and unique in the world today. In the founders’ view, it was absolutely essential to a self-governing nation that citizens be able to freely discuss, debate and decide on the best possible solutions for the greatest number of people. Our First Amendment freedoms make democracy work.
— Gene Policinski, Freedom Forum senior fellow for the First Amendment
All of our liberties flow from the First Amendment. By exercising freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition, Americans have expanded civil rights and worked to create a more just and free society. Simply put, no significant movement for change in our history would have been possible without the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. We still have much work to do. But thanks to the First Amendment, Americans are protected to advance the ongoing struggle to achieve “liberty and justice for all.”
— Charles Haynes, Freedom Forum senior fellow for religious liberty
The First Amendment is our blueprint for personal freedom, what Justice Benjamin Cardozo called the “matrix” – the indispensable freedom that ensures all other liberties. The First Amendment gives us the right to criticize government officials, to practice whatever religious faith we want or none at all, to report on controversial issues, to assemble together and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment gives us the opportunity to participate in our government, to make our voices heard, and to dissent from majoritarian views. It is the essence of freedom.
— David L. Hudson Jr., First Amendment fellow of the Freedom Forum and law professor at Belmont University