by Jaime McAuliffe

When asked what is it that I would stand up for, I would say to have my freedom of speech. Usually people would say, friends, animals, gender, and race. If I were told that something I said or believed was wrong or that I was a "different" for thinking that, it would make me want to stand up to this even more. I love that I am proud to say what it is that I have to say. I mean what I say and will not lie. I tend to take this for granted that I have the freedom to say what I choose, not thinking about the consequences. My freedom to say what I choose means a lot towards my country, friends and family, and my personality.

For my country, I feel that when I use this, part of the 1^st Amendment, I am doing my job as a United States citizen and using this to express who I am. I am cautious of my state laws, Illinois. If there is someone who wishes to challenge me to not knowing what I am talking about, I do not get worried. I am confident about all I believe, and if I feel strongly about it, I could talk forever.

Besides my country, I also use the freedom of speech towards my friends and family. They mean the world to me; if I were to lie to them about who I am and what I believed in, they would be disappointed, and may possibly lose my trust forever. I would use this freedom to get them out of trouble. If friends or family members are trying to influence me into something that I do not consider something I believe, I speak my words and say my side of every story. When I was younger I had trouble being a tattletale, and when someone did the littlest thing to me I would run and scream for the teacher. Mrs. Thurman, a kindergarten teacher once told me to, “Use your words”. I picture her saying this. Now that I am older, I understand, I take this into consideration. I will say what I have to, in a mature manor.

Also, my personality has an effect on why I stand up for the freedom of speech. I am known as “individually unique”. I do not care what people think of me, or what I wear. I have a different way of expressing who I am. I like making sure that I am heard. I am not shy and do not hold things back. Being this way makes me confident, and I feel as if I can succeed something new everyday.

Standing up for freedom of speech, makes myself feel more sure and confident about what I believe. I will not throw a fit if you go against me; I find it as a way to learn new things, but also a way to be heard. We all can do it—try it!