YOU are free speech!

Let’s talk about free speech, the First Amendment. Why is it the first? Because the Founding Fathers knew it was a pretty big deal. Free speech is what lets us speak our minds without worrying about being thrown in jail—or worse, being unfriended on Facebook.

Originally, free speech was all about keeping the government in check. It wasn’t just about letting you shout your opinions from the rooftops (beer is amazing isn't it?). It was about making sure the press could do its job. Back in the day, the press was the watchdog of democracy—like a dog that barked at corruption and nonsense. The idea was that if everyone could speak freely, the truth would eventually rise to the top.

But fast forward to today. We’re living in the age of the internet, where social media is the new public square. These platforms aren’t run by the government—they’re run by private companies. And guess what? These companies have their own rules. It’s like showing up to a party and being told you can’t talk about your favorite TV show because it’s “too controversial.” Which is fine - if it's their own original "rule", yet we keep learning where these platforms DO get their "rules" from.

But what happens when these companies start overstepping? When they start deciding what’s “approved speech” and what isn’t? It’s like your mom telling you, “You can have any dessert you want… as long as it’s vanilla ice cream.” Sure, vanilla’s fine, but what if you’re craving a chocolate sundae?

Think about it: if only “approved speech” is allowed, we’re all stuck in a giant echo chamber, hearing the same things over and over. That’s what free speech gives us. Different opinions and thoughts cutting through the muck of what's "approved".

In the end, free speech isn’t just about protecting your right to say what you want. It’s about making sure we all get to hear different perspectives, even the ones we don’t agree with. So the next time you see a post on social media that makes you roll your eyes, remember: that’s free speech in action. And it’s worth protecting—even if it means putting up with a few crazy ideas along the way.

Good luck America