So I'm currently taking a Media Law class for my Journalism major. Well, our main focus is discussing, understanding and interpreting just what the first amendment is and how we feel about it. One of our first in class assignments was to write what we thought about the freedom of expression when it comes to flag burning. While I did focus on flag burning, I also turned my opinion on protests such as the ones that are put on by Westboro Baptist (who I think are completely wrong and do absolutely horrible protests most of the time).
It is my personal opinion that people do have the write through freedom of expression to burn the American flag if they wish. While someone may not agree with it being done, it is something that should at least be tolerated. The line between what should be legal and illegal to me is when the flag burning (or protest) becomes outright malicious and the true intent behind it is to hurt an individual or certain group, whether emotional (to a point of trauma) or physical. I think many people do things such as flag burning as a way to prove a certain belief that they have, and because of the freedom of expression, they have this right and it should be respected.
What do you think? Please share if you have an opinion, but don't attack.
