The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
government for a redress of grievances”. It is located in the United States Constitution and is a
part of the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is a legal document written and signed by 39
delegates, representing twelve states (excluding Rhode Island). The document was created over
the course of four months, ending with the singing on September 17, 1787. The Constitution was
later ratified in 1791, creating the Bill of Rights, because the original document lacked a
description of individual rights for the American people. The Bill of Rights added ten
amendments, stating the basic rights each United States citizen holds and is entitled to. The First
Amendment is a legal document that protects United States citizens from being prosecuted
against for speaking their mind or worshiping their religion of choice. It was added into the Bill
of Rights and into The Constitution on December 15, 1791. At the time, the 12 colonies had just
defeated the British and was ready to start a new country based on freedom for every United
States citizen. The Amendment gives citizens Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion,
Freedom of the Press, and the Right to Assemble, and the Right to Petition the government. The
First Amendment gives citizens the right to Freedom of the Press that allow anything to be
published, stopping the government from censoring what one has to say. Freedom of Religion is
the legal right to worship whatever religion a United States citizen chooses to worship without
being prosecuted against or harmed in the act. The Right to Petition gives citizens the right to
march, protest and petition any law or injustice they see fit without being policed as long as it is
done in a peaceful manner.

As a journalist, the First Amendment is the basis of what my job would be. It grants me
the legal right to publish articles without being censored. A journalist’s job is to seek the truth
and news everywhere. In my department, we are taught and shown way to seek a story with
intensive research, knowledge and passion going forward. We learned the informative use of
legal documents that are open to the public and court cases that are usually open access as well.
Often times, the most powerful and relevant news is based on Capitol Hill and directed towards
the government. The First Amendment gives citizens and journalists rights to seek stories about
the government and to ask questions pertaining to the story.

During my journey at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, I have
shaped my craft through the means of news but directed my findings towards film and the love
of documentaries. The First Amendment grants me the right to seek stories to turn into
documentaries. I plan to use my degree to craft news for the big screen without censorship. I
used mu educational career on campus to chase stories about the LGBT+ community, ensuring
that their truth is shown on campus as well. I shaped stories around humanizing the professors on
this college campus by showing their lives and filming short interviews.