Exhibit Guide Home

Exhibits
Introduction
Founding Generation
Founding Documents
You Be the Judge
Defining Freedom
The Struggle Continues
Faces of Freedom
Marketplace of Ideas
Censorship: What Is It?
Musical Hit List
Draw the Line


Resources
Museum Map
Glossary




The founding generation used broad and vague language when drafting the First Amendment. They wrote no rules to specify what the amendment should protect, and what it should prohibit. Without such rules, several debates emerged over where the limits should be drawn regarding violence, national security, obscenity and indecency, and hate  speech. These debates began in the nation's infancy, and continue to this day.

We're developing resources specific to the exhibits onboard the Freedom Express. In the meantime, check out the articles below to learn about some of the flashpoints in each of these debates.


Violence
Controversy: Grand Theft Auto Video Game

Can a Video Game Lead to Murder?
February 11, 2009
60 Minutes

Justices Reject Ban on Violent Video Games for Children
June 27, 2011
New York Times


National Security
Controversy: Geraldo Rivera Reports from Iraq

Military kicks Geraldo out of Iraq
March 31, 2003
CNN.com

Pentagon Says Geraldo Rivera Will Be Removed from Iraq
April 1, 2003
New York Times



Obscenity and Indecency
Controversy: Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson Half-Time Super Bowl Show

Does the First Amendment Protect Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake?
February 4, 2004
CNN Justice

CBS' Janet Jackson 'Wardrobe Malfunction' Super Bowl Fine To Be Reconsidered
February 23, 2010
Huffington Post



Hate Speech
Controversy: Cross Burning


Is cross burning a form of free speech?:
High court hears arguments in two cases that test the limits of First Amendment

December 11, 2002
Christian Science Monitor

Supreme Court upholds ban on cross burning
April 7, 2004
USA Today




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Onboard the
Freedom Express

Since we all have a unique set of values and experiences, each of us has our own perspective on where the First Amendment’s limits should be drawn regarding violence, national security, obscenity and indecency, and hate speech. These two touch-screen interactives allow visitors to ‘draw the line’ on four timely issues.