“Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom.”—U.S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo 
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Educating for Democracy: Speech

The guarantee of freedom of speech, protected by the First Amendment and clearly embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is the foundation of a thriving democracy. The classroom-friendly lessons below, largely focused on the international arena, will help students understand how people around the world continue to champion freedom of speech—whether through protest, media, the internet or the arts—even in the face of ever-growing challenges.

Step 1: Hook 

Students should ponder the following, after analyzing the photo to the left.
  • Why is freedom of speech important? What makes the image of the protesting women in South Africa so powerful? Why is freedom of speech an essential component of democracy?  
  • What key issues do the students feel are important enough to protest about? And what tools would they use to make their views known—a demonstration, a letter to the editor, a podcast, a poster campaign, social media, poetry, a public service advertisement, art works, music and song—noting the advantages and disadvantages of each medium. Posting the students’ responses on the wall will give an opportunity to share ideas.

Step 2: Videos and other teacher resources
The first video features the Hong Kong singer and activist Denise Ho standing up to China at the United Nations, declaring that human rights are under attack in Hong Kong. The next video features young people protesting to protect their freedom of speech. While viewing the videos, students should think about what circumstances would compel them to raise their voice for a cause.

Around the world, people are taking to the streets, under the aegis of freedom of speech, to express their beliefs and opinions. Consider recent demonstrations in France and Spain, Lebanon and Iraq, Argentina and Bolivia.

Video:  "Campaigning over the high levels of violence against women in South Africa"
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Step 3: Standards-Based Exercise

Read either “Comparing Governments: Democracy vs. Authoritarianism” or “The High School Course Beijing Accuses of Radicalizing Hong Kong,” and briefly summarize using one of the following Graphic Organizers.

Print or provide a link to a Google Doc with the following images for your students. Divide students into groups and assign one image per group. Have each group analyze its image in terms of what it shows about the correlation between free speech and democracy. Then, use either jigsaw groups or a whole-group share to debrief.
Standards-Aligned Exercise using the above graphics:
  • Compare Graphic 1 and Graphics 2: What possible connections do you notice between freedom on the internet around the world and the quality of democracy around the world?
  • Analyze Graphic 3: What do you notice about the connections between free speech and free access to the internet? Why do you think that people who support free speech and freedom of the press also support free access to the internet?
  • Compare Graphic 1 and Graphic 4: What possible connections do you notice between internet freedom and perceptions of corruption?
  • Analyze Graphic 5: What arguments are used to justify restricting internet speech and access? Why can these arguments be so powerful?

Music
Thinking about music lyrics (specifically rap lyrics, in these articles) being used in a criminal case, should music lyrics be considered protected speech? Can controversial writings be turned into music to avoid censorship?

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Step 4: What can students do?

Students can explore their rights to freedom of speech and expression by reading about Tinker v. Des Moines, a landmark Supreme Court ruling on behalf of student expression, and explore how to take informed action by browsing the “Know Your Rights” and “Defending Our Rights” sections of the American Civil Liberties Union’s website.

​Students can contemplate the changes they wish to see in their schools, communities and beyond regarding freedom of speech. They can then create change through informed action by promoting free speech as an essential component of democracy. For example, they can create a:
  • Public service announcement
  • Social media awareness campaign
  • School-wide event 
  • Song or poem
  • Global petition
  • Written statement to the media

Additional Resources

Channel 4 News Video:  "Global Climate Strike:  Millions Take to the Streets to Save the World"

"Les Miserables" film:  "Do you hear the People Sing?"

Greta Thunberg's emotional speech to world's leaders warning of the dangers of climate change

BBC video:  Egyptian women speak out against harassment and gender violence

United Nations study on freedom of expression focused on Brazil

Amnesty International’s global perspectives on the importance of freedom of expression

U.K. non-profit human rights organization focusing on academic, artistic, and media freedoms

Podcast:  "The Most Moderate Protest" extends free speech to students

AFT Resources

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