The Importance of Free Speech in AmericaWould life be the same without free speech? Expressions of hatred, sometimes called hate speech, are widespread in today's society; one group that uses them is the KKK, particularly Charles Brandenburg. Government leaders may also want to suppress free speech in an effort to keep citizens in the dark so that they do not learn about corruption in our country's hierarchy. The aforementioned corruption is why freedom of speech was created; give the population some control over the actions of the government. The Vietnam War was one of the most important events in which free speech was used. From wearing black armbands to the Kent State University massacre, people have made their discontent clear. For these reasons and more, American citizens should enjoy absolute freedom of speech, free from government interference. Expressions of hatred can be tolerated, but become a government responsibility when it comes to acts that incite violence, such as hate crimes. In the case of Brandenburg v. Ohio Supreme Court found KKK leader Charles Brandenburg's free speech rights violated. He gave a speech to a group of other Klan members, with a reporter filming him. Brandenburg encouraged revenge on the branches of government because they restricted the white race, he claimed. This went against the Ohio Criminal Syndicate Act of 1919. This law prohibited anyone from advocating action against the government. This case played a decisive role in the way freedom of expression is viewed today. The Supreme Court ruled that "...constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press do not permit a state to... middle of paper... end the involvement of United States in Vietnam. The government should have no interference with the absolute free speech rights of the American people. These many things have affected our right to free speech in their own way, but the American people are. always come out stronger because these rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America, the United States government should have no say in changing or limiting them If the government deprives us of our right to it. freedom of speech, then what is the purpose of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq? We are fighting for the right of civilians to express themselves freely. Works cited* No author named, May 4, 1970: America kills its? children: June 1, 1995. The Ethical Spectacle December 8 2004.>.