Free speech: What it is — and isn’t
Speaker - Leonard Pitts; values new way of life and social structure
Occasion - Phil Robertson gives controversial statements in an interview causing his suspension; people don't understand what free speech means
Audience - general public in America (those in which the First Amendment applies)
Purpose - to explain to those who think they can say whatever they want that the First Amendment only protects them from government not necessarily their job
Subject - the First Amendment protects our ideas from government intervention but not the free market
Tone - eye-opening and guileless
The article "Free speech: What it is - and isn't", written by Leonard Pitts, explores what the First Amendment actually means. Pitts uses the situation involving Phil Robertson and his comments on gays and blacks to back up his argument. Pitts defines that free speech grants people to say whatever they please - without government intervention; what people say, however, will be addressed by the free market. He states that, "if enough people don't buy what you are selling, you don't stay in the market very long". Pitts introduces the idea that people use the First Amendment incorrectly; he explains this by stating it was unacceptable for the public to outrage over A&E suspending Robertson because the First Amendment does not protect people from private companies. Pitts provides enough background information on the Robertson situation before giving his observations over it. The issue approached is important in the general community because if people know their rights, they will be smart enough not to quote the First Amendment after saying something rude or repulsive, causing them to lose their job.
Speaker - Leonard Pitts; values new way of life and social structure
Occasion - Phil Robertson gives controversial statements in an interview causing his suspension; people don't understand what free speech means
Audience - general public in America (those in which the First Amendment applies)
Purpose - to explain to those who think they can say whatever they want that the First Amendment only protects them from government not necessarily their job
Subject - the First Amendment protects our ideas from government intervention but not the free market
Tone - eye-opening and guileless
The article "Free speech: What it is - and isn't", written by Leonard Pitts, explores what the First Amendment actually means. Pitts uses the situation involving Phil Robertson and his comments on gays and blacks to back up his argument. Pitts defines that free speech grants people to say whatever they please - without government intervention; what people say, however, will be addressed by the free market. He states that, "if enough people don't buy what you are selling, you don't stay in the market very long". Pitts introduces the idea that people use the First Amendment incorrectly; he explains this by stating it was unacceptable for the public to outrage over A&E suspending Robertson because the First Amendment does not protect people from private companies. Pitts provides enough background information on the Robertson situation before giving his observations over it. The issue approached is important in the general community because if people know their rights, they will be smart enough not to quote the First Amendment after saying something rude or repulsive, causing them to lose their job.