Speech Theories

There are eight speech theories or the eight values of Free Expression. 

1. Marketplace of Ideas 
2. Participation in Self-Government 
3. Stable Change 
4. Individual Self-Fulfillment 
5. Check on Government Power 
6. Promote Tolerance 
7. Promote Innovation 
8. Protect Dissent 

The one I will be focusing on is Stable Change or as it's called by another name Safety Value. Stable Change is the freedom where angry people can speak their minds will be less likely to be violent. The Stable change can also enable the government to monitor potentially dangerous groups. 

I think this is important because sometimes people get so angry about the things that are happening, that they don't know what to do with that anger. They keep it bottled up and then one day, they will crack and all their anger will be rushing out in an uncontrollable. And that can lead to consequently actions. 

I'm going to use 2020 as an example. The Coronavirus hit, leaving people stuck in their houses. Stores, restaurants, and gyms were forced to close all over the world. Thousands of people lost their jobs, lost their homes or apartments because they couldn't pay rent. Maybe lost their child because they couldn't pay child support. Then people started dying. Husbands, fathers, mothers, wives. It's a time of great sadness and loss. 

Then another incident happened. George Floyd was asphyxiated by a police officer who was arresting him. And that sent people over the edge. but instead of speaking about the racism that has been going on for hundreds of years and losing their jobs due to the Coronavirus. They wanted to be heard so they started rioting and vandalizing national monuments. I feel like that if the people tried speaking instead of action, the government wouldn't listen. 

The reason why I picked Stable Change and why I think it's very important is because there has been so much violence, rioting and vandalism, all throughout our history even, and no one seems to listen.  Each person just. wants to be heard. But if everyone just took one second and listened to each other without violence, then maybe someone had something important to say, and maybe there could've been a more peaceful solution than taking action, for sometimes people get hurt or killed when someone decides to put matters into their own hands. 

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1014/safety-valve-theory