First Amendment Media Project
For this project we were assigned to create a video expressing our knowledge of the First Amendment. I worked with Gordon Gianniny and we made a Lawful Larry episode about the history of the first amendment rights in schools. In the episode Larry and Larry dive deep into an epic quest to uncover the events around the Tinker, Fraser, and Hazelwood Standards. Each case is expertly analyzed and explained to help people understand their rights in schools.
Mini-Project: Free Speech Forum
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For this project we were assigned to find our own piece of free speech and write and 800-1000 word essay on how free speech is important in our democracy, and how our chosen piece shows this. Our essay should have an effective thesis statement, well-defined paragraphs, and be carefully towards persuasion and formal voice. Along with the written piece we did a five-minute presentation to the class giving a brief synopsis of our written piece.
Eve of Destruction
By Barry McGuire
Ande Lloyd
Barry McGuire is a singer and songwriter best known for his song “Eve of Destruction.” The song was published in 1965 protesting the Vietnam War. By the end of the war, 58, 220 U.S. soldiers died, more than 150,000 had been wounded, and at least 21,000 had been permanently disabled. And thousands of people protested the war. This song helped fuel the protests and was an instant hit during its time. However the song also had a substantial amount of criticism and flak from Americans in support of the war. While many American patriots opposed this song, the controversy around this song is important because it exemplifies free speech and political change.
With protesting the Vietnam War, “Eve of Destruction” represents an effort for change. Nearly a third of Americans during the sixties and early seventies were opposed to the Vietnam War. During this time 61% of the men killed in Vietnam were under twenty-one years old. In “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire it says,
The eastern world it is exploding
Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You don't believe in war but whats that gun you're totin'?
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin'
Many people fought hard against the government during this time. Over 1 million young men were drafted during Vietnam, and it played as one of the main reasons why people were opposed to the Vietnam War. At the time the minimum age for drafting was age 18, while the voting age was 21. The song is meant to fight back against the war and lead to a more positive path.
Though most of the song primarily protests the Vietnam War, it also debated several other controversial topics of the time. One such topic is the Civil Rights Movement. The movement’s goal was to end social segregation and discrimination against black Americans. In the song it exclaims,
I can't twist the truth it knows no regulation
Handful of senators don't pass legislation
And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegrating'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'
During this time social and political change was everywhere. The song was named “Eve of Destruction” because it is saying that people try so hard to fight for what they believe in, whether it is dying in Vietnam or being shot at Ken State University, there was no stopping this destruction. Many people fought for social change but there were also a great amount of people that fought back, against social change. The song spurred a lot of dispute amongst the American people and there was a lot done to rebuke the song.
Whereas the song represents great political change with the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights movement, the controversy is what makes this song important. “Eve of Destruction” was banned by some radio stations in the U.S. claiming it was an “aid to the enemy in Vietnam.” The song was also banned on Radio Scotland. BBC restricted the song, not allowing the song to be played on “general entertainment programs.” Most of all the song took tremendous flak from conservatives, and another band called “The Spokesmen” actually wrote a song called “The Dawn of Correction” in response to “Eve of Destruction.” This battle between ideals had a huge impact for those in support of the war and those against it.
Nevertheless, without this battle of ideas, there cannot be a working democracy. The three branches of the U.S. government are set up as a system of checks and balances to help ensure that no one branch could become too powerful. To make sure that no one branch could become too powerful, each branch has powers and limitations that constantly conflict each other. In the song “Eve of Destruction” the lyrics intone,
Don't you understand what I'm tryin' to say
Can't you feel the fears I'm feelin' today?
If the button is pushed, there's no runnin' away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you boy, it's bound to scare you boy
These lyrics represent a check on the government as a whole, stating that what is going on in Vietnam is neither moral nor right. As the three branches of the government have checks and balances over each other, free Speech acts like a check and balance for the people, to demand that the government doesn’t become too powerful.
Free speech is the greatest weapon for common people, and every American has a right to use it. Free Speech gives people a voice to communicate opinions and ideas to anyone who is willing to receive them. The song “Eve of Destruction” is a great example of free speech because it shows that it can be used to give power to the people, and fight for what people believe in. Without free speech all of our other rights corresponding to the first amendment wouldn’t be possible. The freedom to petition, the freedom of press, the freedom to a peaceful assembly, and the freedom of religion all trickle down from freedom of speech.
Even if many Americans opposed this song, the controversy around this song is important. It’s the words that can spur crowds of people to march down the street demanding change. Also its words that can cause students of Kent State and soldiers of the Vietnam War to be shot for what they believe in. And that controversy is what is essential to create a true democratic nation.
By Barry McGuire
Ande Lloyd
Barry McGuire is a singer and songwriter best known for his song “Eve of Destruction.” The song was published in 1965 protesting the Vietnam War. By the end of the war, 58, 220 U.S. soldiers died, more than 150,000 had been wounded, and at least 21,000 had been permanently disabled. And thousands of people protested the war. This song helped fuel the protests and was an instant hit during its time. However the song also had a substantial amount of criticism and flak from Americans in support of the war. While many American patriots opposed this song, the controversy around this song is important because it exemplifies free speech and political change.
With protesting the Vietnam War, “Eve of Destruction” represents an effort for change. Nearly a third of Americans during the sixties and early seventies were opposed to the Vietnam War. During this time 61% of the men killed in Vietnam were under twenty-one years old. In “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire it says,
The eastern world it is exploding
Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You don't believe in war but whats that gun you're totin'?
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin'
Many people fought hard against the government during this time. Over 1 million young men were drafted during Vietnam, and it played as one of the main reasons why people were opposed to the Vietnam War. At the time the minimum age for drafting was age 18, while the voting age was 21. The song is meant to fight back against the war and lead to a more positive path.
Though most of the song primarily protests the Vietnam War, it also debated several other controversial topics of the time. One such topic is the Civil Rights Movement. The movement’s goal was to end social segregation and discrimination against black Americans. In the song it exclaims,
I can't twist the truth it knows no regulation
Handful of senators don't pass legislation
And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegrating'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'
During this time social and political change was everywhere. The song was named “Eve of Destruction” because it is saying that people try so hard to fight for what they believe in, whether it is dying in Vietnam or being shot at Ken State University, there was no stopping this destruction. Many people fought for social change but there were also a great amount of people that fought back, against social change. The song spurred a lot of dispute amongst the American people and there was a lot done to rebuke the song.
Whereas the song represents great political change with the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights movement, the controversy is what makes this song important. “Eve of Destruction” was banned by some radio stations in the U.S. claiming it was an “aid to the enemy in Vietnam.” The song was also banned on Radio Scotland. BBC restricted the song, not allowing the song to be played on “general entertainment programs.” Most of all the song took tremendous flak from conservatives, and another band called “The Spokesmen” actually wrote a song called “The Dawn of Correction” in response to “Eve of Destruction.” This battle between ideals had a huge impact for those in support of the war and those against it.
Nevertheless, without this battle of ideas, there cannot be a working democracy. The three branches of the U.S. government are set up as a system of checks and balances to help ensure that no one branch could become too powerful. To make sure that no one branch could become too powerful, each branch has powers and limitations that constantly conflict each other. In the song “Eve of Destruction” the lyrics intone,
Don't you understand what I'm tryin' to say
Can't you feel the fears I'm feelin' today?
If the button is pushed, there's no runnin' away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you boy, it's bound to scare you boy
These lyrics represent a check on the government as a whole, stating that what is going on in Vietnam is neither moral nor right. As the three branches of the government have checks and balances over each other, free Speech acts like a check and balance for the people, to demand that the government doesn’t become too powerful.
Free speech is the greatest weapon for common people, and every American has a right to use it. Free Speech gives people a voice to communicate opinions and ideas to anyone who is willing to receive them. The song “Eve of Destruction” is a great example of free speech because it shows that it can be used to give power to the people, and fight for what people believe in. Without free speech all of our other rights corresponding to the first amendment wouldn’t be possible. The freedom to petition, the freedom of press, the freedom to a peaceful assembly, and the freedom of religion all trickle down from freedom of speech.
Even if many Americans opposed this song, the controversy around this song is important. It’s the words that can spur crowds of people to march down the street demanding change. Also its words that can cause students of Kent State and soldiers of the Vietnam War to be shot for what they believe in. And that controversy is what is essential to create a true democratic nation.
Project Description: For this project the objective was to identify situations which police can legally arrest/detain you, with or without a warrant. We learned about the differences between a hunch, reasonable suspicion, and probable cause. With learning these terms, we know what to do when encountering the police, and what the circumstances are to be searched or seized. We analyzed the 4th amendment and learned the protections we have as a U.S. citizen. Finally we presented a final product that creatively shows what we learned.
The product that I chose to present was a comical video that shows the difference between your rights when walking down the street, and your rights while driving a vehicle. This piece of content drew my attention because it is relevant to being a teenage driver, and a citizen walking down the street. Also it is valuable information that I could use the rest of my life. Knowing your rights while in a vehicle and walking down the street could save you a lot of confusion, and show that you know your rights as a citizen.
While this project was very engaging and informative, one area I would go further into, would be your rights as a student. Being a student myself, adding a section about your rights in school would be beneficial to me, and other students. It will also show that your rights can change depending where you are, and what you are doing. Adding this to the video could add more substance, and be more relevant to the teenage audience.
The product that I chose to present was a comical video that shows the difference between your rights when walking down the street, and your rights while driving a vehicle. This piece of content drew my attention because it is relevant to being a teenage driver, and a citizen walking down the street. Also it is valuable information that I could use the rest of my life. Knowing your rights while in a vehicle and walking down the street could save you a lot of confusion, and show that you know your rights as a citizen.
While this project was very engaging and informative, one area I would go further into, would be your rights as a student. Being a student myself, adding a section about your rights in school would be beneficial to me, and other students. It will also show that your rights can change depending where you are, and what you are doing. Adding this to the video could add more substance, and be more relevant to the teenage audience.
