Freedom of Expression for Minority Groups
By: Sara Coleman November 27, 2018 10:32 High School Senior, writing for me not you
(Jail bars, signifying no freedom)
Why Freedom of Expression?
I would like to explore freedom of expression and why minority people can not exercise this freedom to the fullest. These people are held back because of repercussions they may face because of their actions as minority members of society. These repercussions can be within their community or an international social impact.
(American Flag)
What is Freedom of Expression?
Freedom of speech or expression is expressed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which reminds us of the "freedom to a person or community to state their opinions and ideas without the fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. Freedom of expression also includes any act of seeking, receiving, and conveying information or ideas, regardless of the medium exercised."
(People marching)
“We feel like people don't care so what's the point in trying.”
In America, the Constitution gives freedom and rights to its people. It states that all men are equal and have a right to freedom of opinion or expression. In today's society, some groups of people are attacked because of their opinions and what they decided to speak up or stand for. So I decided to ask a two young adults, a female and male, their opinions on freedom of expression for minority people.
Opinions from Young Adults
Taylor
What does freedom of expression mean to you? Means I can express the way I feel without being punished.
Do you feel minority groups have freedom of expression? Why or why not? No, and especially not black women. I feel as though we don't get freedom of expression because when black women voice their opinions or have a counter point of view we are stereotyped as angry or trying to argue.
What in society has caused you to feel this way? My experiences. There are times when I try to present an issue and people think this of me.
Participant 2
What in society has caused you to feel this way? On multiple occasions I have been a victim of this stereotype.
What does freedom of expression mean to you? Expressing yourself in your own way no matter what no one else thinks.
Do you feel minority groups, have freedom of expression? Why or why not? No, not young black men because they always get put down as if they can't make it or can't succeed. We feel like people don't care, so what's the point in trying.
What in society has caused you to feel this way? In public schools young black men can't express themselves because sometimes they feel the teachers don't understand and put them down because they don't want to see them succeed. I know this because one of my friends had this experience. The teacher was always rooting against him.
Express Yourself
America is a country where people come for a new life and fresh start. These people come from countries that will kill them for stating their opinions or punish them for speaking against the majority point of view. In the United States there are a few ways our government lets us express our opinion.
The right to information or opinion through the media is a right given to all people. Media freedoms is something our government respects. It is established in international law that media must be allowed to operate, although there are limits to this media freedom.
In an article by Helen Darbishire, Minorities and Media Freedom Under International Law, she states that: “Governments are expected to allow newspapers and magazines to be published without restrictions.” There is also no requirement to have a license in order to publish. Radio and television may be required to have licenses in order to operate because the government needs to be able to decide who broadcasts certain material carrying specific messages.
Overall, in America, all people have rights but in our society some people are limited to exercise these freedoms. In the interviews you get to see responses from minorities and how they feel toward the topic. As for the Constitution and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all people are entitled to these freedoms. But as a society we must make all people comfortable enough to voice their opinions and not be afraid of retaliation.
What does this mean for students at Carver?
This article can help influence Carver students to learn their rights and understand the importance of exercising the to the fullest.
What are the implications for future investigations about human rights?
In future investigations people in explore the different human rights and who they effect.