Laura Flint

December 1, 2014
POWtoon script
Slide 1: Title slide
Narrator:
Slide 2: A long time ago, 55 representatives from 12 states worked together to draft
a new set of rules that would serve as the foundation of the American government.
That document was the Constitution of the United States of America, and by the time
it was ratified, it also included a Bill of Rights.
Slide 3: These founding documents were the first of their kind. Not only was power
decentralized between state and national government, within the national
government power was shared between three separate branches.
Slide 4: The Bill of Rights guaranteed 10 fundamental rights to its citizens, including
the right to bear arms, the right to a fair trial, the right against unreasonable search
and seizures as well as the right to free speech.
Slide 5: Fast forward over the next 200 years
Slide 6: And although the Courts have decided that free speech is not absolute
Slide 7: They have ruled that free speech is almost absolute and can only be
restricted when it presents a clear and present danger or is likely to incite imminent
violence. You cannot yell Fire! in a movie theater, just as you cannot insult a
policeman using words that by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an
immediate breach of the peace, also known as fighting words.
Side 8: Today, we face a new threat to free speech. Universities have instituted a
new First Amendment restriction known as speech codes.
Slide 9: While these codes have a noble goal of protecting their students against
discriminatory harassment
Slide 10: They go beyond the constitutional bounds of the First Amendment.
Slide 11: Time and time again these codes have been struck down as
unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.
Slide 12: Judges have recognized the chilling effect these codes have on free
speech, as well as recognizing that even offensive speech is protected by the First
Amendment.

Slide 13: Notwithstanding the courts ruling, speech codes remain very prevalent in
state and private universities in America today, violating the Constitution by their
very presence.
Slide 14: Yet students remain uncaring, unaware, and most concerning, even
supportive of speech codes.
Slide 15: Students grow up recognizing the importance and benefits of diversity in
the classroom. They should also acknowledge the importance of a diversity of ideas.
Just because they dont agree with speech, doesnt mean they should ban it.
Slide 16: Lets not forget that speech isnt only used to express hatred. It can be used
to start movements, revolutions, challenge the status quo, and change the world.
Imagine where America would be if people couldnt use speech to enact and
promote change.
Slide 17: If you allow the government to arbitrarily forbid speech it finds offensive,
you allow the government to control whatever speech it pleases.
Slide 18: Thats called censorship.
Slide 19: Instead, students should support free speech and free discussion,
especially on college campuses. They should welcome the opportunities to have
their peers challenge their views; even they may find it offensive. Through real
discussion, maybe they could change some minds.
Slide 20: So stand up for your rights and protect them against university
interference!
Slide 21: Free speech begins with you! Together, we can make a change toward
reform and greater freedom.