Explain how the tinker v.s des Moines and Texas v.s Johnson supreme court case are realated. Explain the effects(s) these cases have on US citizens.
The Tinker v. Des Moines and Texas v. Johnson Supreme Court cases are related as they both deal with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) involved a group of students who wore black armbands to protest against the Vietnam War. The school administration, claiming that the armbands caused a distraction, suspended the students. The Supreme Court ruled that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." This case established that students possess free speech rights in public schools, as long as their actions do not substantially disrupt the educational environment.
Texas v. Johnson (1989) revolved around Gregory Lee Johnson, who burned an American flag during the Republican National Convention to express his discontent with certain US policies. He was arrested under a Texas law that prohibited flag desecration. The Supreme Court, in a controversial decision, determined that flag burning constituted a form of symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment. This case established that flag desecration is a protected form of expression.
The effects of these cases on US citizens have been significant. Both rulings emphasize the importance of the First Amendment's protections for free speech and expression. Tinker v. Des Moines affirmed that students have the right to express their views in schools, ensuring that public education institutions respect their constitutional rights. It allowed students to engage in peaceful and non-disruptive forms of protest within the educational environment.
Texas v. Johnson established that flag desecration falls under the umbrella of protected speech. This decision has sparked debates across the nation, as it protects a form of expression that is highly controversial and emotionally charged for many citizens. It led to efforts to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration, although such attempts have thus far been unsuccessful. The case stands as a symbol of the broad scope of protection granted by the First Amendment, even for forms of expression that might deeply offend some members of society.
Overall, both cases have contributed to the ongoing development and interpretation of First Amendment rights in the United States, ensuring that citizens can express their views freely, even in situations that might invite controversy or disagreement.