Flag Burning In America Persuasive Essa Essay example

Chantay Brooks PHI-105 November 16, 2014 Instructor Benjamin Perlin The American Flag can be seen in many public places. You see it in schools, government building, stores and hanging in our homes. Those stars and strips are a symbol of freedom to many people across the nation. But is also represents civil liberties that became the pillars this country was founded upon. Flag Burning should be legalized because it allows those who feel disenfranchised the freedom of speech, the Constitutional right to protest and in many important instances it holds no Anti –American sentiments. The desecration of the flag has been the topic of debate for many years amongst Judicial Court Justices. For years dating back to 1907, the U.S. Supreme Court†¦show more content†¦This brought on the Supreme Court striking down all laws banning flag desecration in 1989. Justice Brennan wrote â€Å"If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable (civilliberty website, n.d) One cannot simply ban or outlaw a person’s right to exercise their ideas publically because it goes against the majority or popular belief. Taking away ones freedom of speech, you then take away the voice of a nation. You don’t have to always agree with the words, ideas or views someone expresses but you must give them the right to say it without repercussions. We recite the pledge of allegiance, not fully understanding what it means. The las t section of the pledge states â€Å"with liberty and justice for all†. (UsFlag.org, n.d) Which means, the freedom to live, speak and to carry on without fear or injustice. No matter the race, gender or ethnicity George Washington said it best, â€Å"if the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.†(Washington, n.d line 31 ) This nation was built upon principles that we are all free. Free to live and exercise our rights to speak freely and protest as citizens without fear. The Constitution also allows one to peacefully