First Amendment
The Constitution guarantees the right of expression. The freedom of expression is a core principle of our constitutional republic. We do not censor. We do not stifle. It is an American ideal.
What I am referring to, though, is something different. I am referring to the dangers of unfiltered, unrestrained and unmeasured personal expression: saying things without thought, without considering the truthfulness, the accuracy and the implications of our words. This is not a wise way to live. Of course, we can say and do whatever we want, but there is a very poignant verse in the Bible where the apostle Paul says, “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful” (1 Cor. 10:13). Another way of expressing this is to use a more contemporary axiom, “Just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should.” Knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it; knowing when we should do something because it is the best course of action and not just simply because we can — these require judgment. This is the way of wisdom. It is not a way of repression but a way of restraint, of self control, and of choosing what is best. The Old Testament book of Proverbs has numerous references to the importance and impact of our words. In Proverbs 17:27, we see that restraint regarding our words says something about our character: “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” The real question is whether we as a society value the personal character qualities of being knowledgeable and having understanding. Another implication of this passage is that when people do not restrain themselves, they show themselves to be the opposite of having knowledge and understanding. It is possible to assess the character of people by their lack of verbal restraint. We have all experienced this on a relational level. But it has larger societal and cultural implications that begin with us as individuals on a relational level. We must also consider the damage done by words expressed without filter or consideration. In Proverbs 12:18 we read, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Words have the power to inflict pain and wound. They also have the power to bring healing. -Todd J Williams |
January 4, 2022:
New Jersey became the 15th state to enact New Voices legislation on Dec. 21, when Gov. Phil Murphy signed state Senate Bill 108 into law. High school student journalists now have the right to report the news without administrative interference. Legislators first introduced a New Voices bill in December 2015 following two censorship controversies — one school removed a newspaper adviser who stood up for his students and another tried to block the publication of an investigative story on the district superintendent’s alleged misconduct. Such shenanigans are now against the law in New Jersey, but unless you live in California, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont or Washington, they can happen anytime at your local high school.
New Jersey became the 15th state to enact New Voices legislation on Dec. 21, when Gov. Phil Murphy signed state Senate Bill 108 into law. High school student journalists now have the right to report the news without administrative interference. Legislators first introduced a New Voices bill in December 2015 following two censorship controversies — one school removed a newspaper adviser who stood up for his students and another tried to block the publication of an investigative story on the district superintendent’s alleged misconduct. Such shenanigans are now against the law in New Jersey, but unless you live in California, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont or Washington, they can happen anytime at your local high school.
