Explain how the Tinker vs des moines and texas vs Johnson supreme court case are related. Explain the effects these cases have on US citizens. AND PLS SHORTEN THE ANSWER
The Tinker v. Des Moines and Texas v. Johnson Supreme Court cases are related because they both involved the interpretation and application of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, specifically regarding freedom of speech.
In Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), the Supreme Court ruled that public school students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." The case involved three students who were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The Court held that the students' symbolic speech was protected unless it caused substantial disruption to the school environment.
Texas v. Johnson (1989) centered around the burning of the American flag during a political protest. The Supreme Court determined that flag-burning was a form of expressive conduct protected under the First Amendment. The Court concluded that the government could not criminalize this act purely based on the desecration of the flag, as it constituted symbolic speech and was a vital form of political expression.
The effects of these cases on US citizens are significant. They reinforce the importance and broad scope of First Amendment rights. Tinker v. Des Moines clarified that students do not forfeit their right to freedom of speech within the school context. This decision provided more protection to students' expressive rights, ensuring that they can engage in political discourse and protest peacefully.
Texas v. Johnson affirmed that flag-burning, an act seen by some as offensive or disrespectful, is nonetheless a protected form of free speech. This ruling confirmed that the First Amendment encompasses a wide range of expression, even when it goes against societal norms or incites controversy.
Overall, these cases serve as reminders to US citizens that their rights to freedom of speech and expression are constitutionally safeguarded, reinforcing the principles of free speech and allowing for a diverse range of opinions and dissent.