It's Personal: 1st Amendment Threats
From the POV of a former reporter why the First Amendment matters to me
As a former newspaper reporter and Jewish woman living in Texas, the First Amendment is of the utmost personal importance. It’s fundamental to me as a person, as much as blood, oxygen and coffee.
But I’ve experienced having these rights threatened, starting in elementary school and continuing as a journalist. I’m sharing my story because all of us are at risk of losing our First Amendment rights. They are being threatened, increasingly. We have to aware and be vigilant. It we get lax, these rights will disappear.
Growing up in the Bible Belt of Missouri, being Jewish was something that I was continually reminded of, for being different and not fitting in. Yes, always at Christmas, but throughout the year in more subtle ways. It wasn’t uncommon for a prayer to be offered at public school functions. Sporting events, banquets, etc. When the prayer began, I’d always be on edge, fearful of what might come.
Rightfully so but embarrassing nonetheless. This prayer at a public event was an affront to anyone who isn’t Christian. Even to my non-Jewish father, who knew the entire shindig was paid for with our tax dollars. He was paying for his family to be condemned. Signaled out, even even this type of prayer in a public event is prohibited. It’s a lot to deal with in elementary school.
When the prayer began, I’d always be on edge, fearful of what might come. Sometimes the prayer just ended with “amen.” But far too often, it ended with “in Jesus’ name we pray” and my parents went ballistic.
How: Separation of Church & State
Quick background: The First Amendment guarantees Freedom of Religion and outlines the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from having a preferred religion. That maintains the separation of Church and State. Meaning government has to remain neutral. The Fourteenth Amendment extends this to all levels of government: federal, state, and local.
As a reporter, I have experienced — and fought — the government trying to hide information from us as citizens. At the time, we had a team of First Amendment lawyers we worked with, demanding access to public records, which is guaranteed under the Freedom of Information Acts (FOIA) or Sunshine Laws.
