The First Amendment of the United States Consitution states that “The First Amendment

guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It

forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an

individual’s religious practices. It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress

from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely. It also guarantees the right

of citizens to assemble peaceably and to petition their government.”

To me, the first amendment gives me access to the freest of freedom, through freedom of

speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. Knowing that I have

these freedoms given to me allows me to unapologetically express myself, whether that be in my

writing or my physical actions. With the political climate of the United States at the moment, our

First Amendment rights make it easy to critique and protest our government without being

reprimanded in ways that those in other countries would be.

While being a journalist isn’t a part of my career aspiration, I am mindful of what the

First Amendment gives me the right to do, and what it doesn’t protect me from. Although the

First Amendment allows for freedom of speech, it does not mean that I will not be held

accountable for the things I say via social media or in the workplace. As someone who one day

hopes to make in impact through educating, the last thing I want is for someone to pull up

something I’ve written, published, or posted that may cause harm to certain people.

While I have some of the freest freedoms as a United States citizen, I will continue to

actively, but cautiously, exercise my right to the First Amendment through religion, expression,

assembly, and the right to petition.