The Importance of Freedom to Me
Jason Raiche
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Editors' Reflection
As a journalist, freedom of speech and of the press are two rights that should remain near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately I am not known for speaking my mind on issues, and usually do not defend my beliefs, attitudes or values when I'm surrounded by others whose beliefs, attitudes and values differ from my own. An introvert, I simply have nodded my head and answered a statement that I may not agree with saying "Yeah," or "I can't believe that!"
Until I became associated with the St. Norbert Times I often overlooked my rights that were protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution. I often succumbed to peer-pressure when exposed to doing things in a group setting or when around others because it was typically the easy way out, and for those of you who don't know me, conflict avoidance is my middle name. These are just some of the few examples where I have taken my rights and freedoms for granted, instead of embracing them and taking full advantage of them.
Writing for the Times has allowed me to examine my beliefs, attitudes and values and exert my full opinion on things that are important to me through writing reviews on the music I listen to, the television shows I watch and the concerts I attend. Review writing has enabled me the freedom to express myself, another important thing to me when I write.
In addition, the Times has allowed me to break out of my shell and write articles that reach a wide variety of people-a mass audience, if you will. Thus, I have grown as an individual and feel like my opinion matters. Today I am free to speak what is not only on my mind if I feel strongly about a certain issue, but instead of having no opinion or being neutral on certain issues, I am able to form an educated opinion and not feel pressured to think a certain way.
I have these freedoms: of speech, expression and the press, and I feel I have often taken them for granted. My writing permits me to take a few steps back and examine what I could improve, and one area where I can improve is to certainly take full advantage of all my freedoms. I am well aware that people in other countries are not so privileged as I am, and as an American I feel that my freedom to express my opinions and to speak my mind are important qualities that I should foster instead of hold back.
Until I became associated with the St. Norbert Times I often overlooked my rights that were protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution. I often succumbed to peer-pressure when exposed to doing things in a group setting or when around others because it was typically the easy way out, and for those of you who don't know me, conflict avoidance is my middle name. These are just some of the few examples where I have taken my rights and freedoms for granted, instead of embracing them and taking full advantage of them.
Writing for the Times has allowed me to examine my beliefs, attitudes and values and exert my full opinion on things that are important to me through writing reviews on the music I listen to, the television shows I watch and the concerts I attend. Review writing has enabled me the freedom to express myself, another important thing to me when I write.
In addition, the Times has allowed me to break out of my shell and write articles that reach a wide variety of people-a mass audience, if you will. Thus, I have grown as an individual and feel like my opinion matters. Today I am free to speak what is not only on my mind if I feel strongly about a certain issue, but instead of having no opinion or being neutral on certain issues, I am able to form an educated opinion and not feel pressured to think a certain way.
I have these freedoms: of speech, expression and the press, and I feel I have often taken them for granted. My writing permits me to take a few steps back and examine what I could improve, and one area where I can improve is to certainly take full advantage of all my freedoms. I am well aware that people in other countries are not so privileged as I am, and as an American I feel that my freedom to express my opinions and to speak my mind are important qualities that I should foster instead of hold back.
Be the first to comment on this story