Post #3: The Eight Values of Free Expression

The eight values of free expression, which ultimately formed as a result of the First Amendment, gives everyone the opportunity to convey their values and ideas in unique ways, also allowing us to have protected freedoms in our everyday lives. The eight values are:

1. Marketplace of Ideas

2. Participation in Self-Government 

3. Stable Change

4. Individual Self-Fulfillment 

5. Check on Governmental Power

6. Promote Tolerance 

7. Promote Innovation

8. Protect Dissent

Out of the eight values, the two that resonate with me the most are individual self-fulfillment and promote innovation.

Individual Self-Fulfillment

When the First Amendment was signed in 1791, it granted individuals the right to have their speech protected. As mentioned in the description of individual self-fulfillment, it allows everyone to express themselves and be able to form their own identity. It is solely about achieving a sense of purpose and focusing on goals that are meaningful to you in order to live a content life. 

Personally, I have experienced individual-self fulfillment through pursuing my passions and talents. Being an actor and singer, I love sharing my natural gift to the world through performing in plays and musicals and singing at my church. I also am involved in the Collision Worship band at High Point University which performs on the Wednesday and Sunday night chapel services. In addition, I am a Christian with a heart for Christ. By singing in church services, I have found a way to channel my values and beliefs through my passions by being a witness to others about God. 

I find this value to be very significant and crucial when being able to differentiate ourselves amongst other people. Everyone is their own person and to have the opportunity to voice your own opinions and ideas freely is incredible. From my point of view, individual self-fulfillment is also key to developing a sense of autonomy, which is the ability to make your own choices as a human without external control. All in all, without the presence of this notable value, we wouldn't be able to contribute to society which is essential for personal growth. 

Promote Innovation

The second value that stuck out to me the most was promoting innovation. To me, this value holds an equal level of importance as individual self-fulfillment. According to promoting innovation, it states to actively encourage and support the execution of new and improved ideas through free speech to advance society as a whole. 

A most obvious instance of promoting innovation in my life is  here at High Point University. For example, in the student-run newspaper organization called the View Point that I am a part of on campus, we have the freedom to choose what kind of stories are covered. This demonstrates free speech as we are able to report topics that we find interesting, creating a more energized environment where we are enthusiastic about our story topics. To go along with this, the organization fosters a diverse range of story articles written by students since everyone has different interests.  In general, college is a huge place to promote innovation within the students, faculty, and community. Whether an athlete, singer, actor, dancer, musician, cheerleader, and many more, each student has the chance to make a change within their particular area. 

Overall, promoting innovation gives everyone the option to voice their thoughts more creatively, efficiently, and constructively. Society will only continue to benefit with the assistance of the people who care deeply to improve it. Not only will society be positively impacted, but each individual will have a better quality of life and well being as a result of their ambition and hard work. 

With the use of these two values of free expression, let's work to not only make a change, but to be the change in the world.