When I was a kid, I never appreciated the first amendment as much as I should have because I thought amendments were supposed to be unquestionable once they were signed into law. Obviously I was wrong, but while we still have it, let’s talk about how freedom of speech doesn’t absolve people from consequences.
With the readings this week, there’s been a clear divide about the issue and how far one can go as both a civilian and a celebrity. I want us to keep in mind that the article was written a decade ago and a lot has changed. The celebrity image being attached to ideologies, and movements bring up an interesting perspective of how taking a stance could be detrimental at the time. Colin Kaepernick being dismissed and blacklisted from the NFL caused waves inside and outside of the sports world, but it was career ruining because of how impactful it was. However, this doesn’t apply to many celebrities who say something controversial to one side or the other and get cancelled for two months before the internet “forgets” what occurred and goes back to worshipping them, but many stances could’ve been performative to appeal to certain masses.
Nowadays, we know celebrities and politicians can basically get away with everything in the Epstein files, the accountability that the speaker in video talks about is virtually nonexistent in our present day. The amount of knowledge, but lack of action that’s been brought against the current administration shows how much the first amendment has allowed for crimes, free speech used to incite real harm. The lack of responsibility also falls on the American people for not gathering together and pushing for justice and the proper consequences that should’ve been given years ago.
The argument that celebrities get more of a pass on free speech does have merit to it, however there are very real consequences that are followed through, but in the end, no one should be free from repercussions.
A Message From Mari 
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