This question has two parts.
Explain how the Tinker v Des Moines and Texas v Johnson Supreme Court cases are related. Explain the effect(s) these cases have on US citizens.
The Tinker v Des Moines and Texas v Johnson Supreme Court cases are related in that they both involve the issue of freedom of speech and expression as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. However, while both cases deal with the same constitutional right, they address different aspects and contexts of this right.
In the Tinker v Des Moines case (1969), the Supreme Court dealt with the issue of student speech rights within the context of public schools. The case involved three students who wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, which violated the school's policy. The Court ruled that students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the school gates, stating that their silent expression of opinion through the armbands constituted "symbolic speech," protected by the First Amendment.
On the other hand, the Texas v Johnson case (1989) dealt with the issue of flag burning as an act of protest and political expression. Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag during a demonstration at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas. He was charged with violating a Texas law that criminalized the desecration of the flag. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Johnson, stating that flag burning is a form of expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment.
The effects of these cases on US citizens are significant. Both cases have expanded and clarified the protection of the freedom of speech and expression under the First Amendment. They have established important precedents that emphasize the importance of allowing individuals to express unpopular or controversial opinions, even if they may be offensive or disruptive to some.
Specifically, Tinker v Des Moines affirmed that students have free speech rights within the school setting, as long as their expression does not significantly disrupt the school's educational mission. This case has had a lasting impact on students' freedom of expression in schools, protecting their right to engage in peaceful protests and expressions of opinion without fear of punishment.
Similarly, Texas v Johnson reinforced the principle that the government cannot prohibit certain forms of symbolic expression, even if it involves controversial actions like flag burning. This case affirmed that political dissent and protest, even when expressed through provocative means, are protected forms of speech.
Overall, these cases have played an important role in safeguarding and defining the extent of freedom of speech and expression in the United States. They remind citizens that the First Amendment protects their right to express their beliefs and opinions, even if they might be unpopular or considered offensive to some. They have contributed to the ongoing development of constitutional principles related to freedom of speech and continue to shape the rights of US citizens.