The United States Constitution was drafted in 1789 and was officially ratified on December 15, 1791, as part of the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment was included in this to protect the liberties of Americans, like the freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and to petition the government. This right ensures citizens the ability to speak their minds freely. With this being said, there are some exceptions, with schools being one of them. Students are able to express their opinions as long as they do not get in the middle of their peers’ learning.
On Sept. 26, Iowa State Representative Ashley Hinson called for an investigation within the Department of Education into Linn-Mar High School’s student-run morning announcements, LMTV. The day prior to this statement, the school’s broadcast aired as usual, including a short segment on bisexual plus awareness week by their Spectrum Gay-Straight Alliance club. The approximately 40-second clip shared facts on what the “plus” in “bisexual plus” may consist of. Hinson was not pleased, as she felt this was inappropriate content and not fit for the school news. Her son is a freshman at the building, and she claimed that she has opinions both as a mother and a politician. According to KCRG, Hinson enlightened listeners on a press call. “As a parent and a legislator, I am appalled that a school would assume the role of teaching and promoting sexual identity to our kids,” said Hinson. “Our schools should be educating students, not indoctrinating them.” She then followed this statement by explaining that she will continue to stand for parents and common sense; however, I think that she and I might have different opinions on what the definition of both “common sense” and “indoctrination” is. This student was not brainwashing their peers by educating them on a term that was being discussed. This did not affect anyone’s learning; therefore, it did not violate the First Amendment. Hinson decided to shoot LMTV’s program down simply because she disagreed with its topics.
In recent months, there have been numerous instances of invasions of freedom of speech within America. Like Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show being cancelled for speaking his mind, so was this Linn-Mar student. As a student journalist, I must be cautious with what I choose to write about and how I wish to word my stories in fear of backlash. Even writing this editorial may be a risk. No matter what one says, somebody will have something to say about it. The chances that someone may be upset by a high school journalism program have increased tremendously in the past few years. But I’ve never been afraid to step on one’s toes, and if a few piggies have to be crushed for someone else to feel heard, call the podiatrist, because let’s do it.
Hinson is an example of how, as a politician, you are presented with immense amounts of power. She used her status to present an issue she thought was striking. She is allowed to have her opinion, but so am I. I believe that her investigation is an appropriation of freedom of speech and an invasion of the First Amendment. This announcement won’t turn her son, or any other students, gay, and it did not disturb any learning. Speak your truth, share your opinions, use your words. No voice is more important than another, especially if you’re a state representative.