Stewart Wilkins

Ap English 11
July 28, 2015
Argumentative Essay
Opinions are expressed daily by people with different backgrounds, cultures, and
environments. These opinions and beliefs are then expressed through social media, through talk
shows, and through ordinary people. It does not matter if the opinions of these sources are
accurate or not because they will encourage and promote new opinions no matter what. People
build off of each other. If someone states a fact or opinion and another person doesn't agree, this
will then allow them to develop their own thoughts on the idea. It is all a cycle, and everyone is
building off of others opinions and statements. All of these opinions expressed will then foster
the basic values of our country, which includes life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, equality, and
justice. These values allowed opinions to be expressed in the first place, and gave citizens of the
United States the freedom to express themselves and how they feel. Opinions stated by everyone
are worthwhile and they foster democratic values.
Some major democratic values that are stated in the constitution are freedom of speech
and freedom of the press. Freedom of speech was not just given to us, citizens fought for this
right. They still fight for this right by standing up for themselves, participating in marches, and
doing speeches. Because of the civil rights movement this freedom was further guaranteed, but
this is not the case in other countries. For example, the Je suis Charlie incident in France is a big
representation of people fighting for and stating their opinions in order to further guarantee their
rights and make a difference. Charlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine that drew Muhammad's face,
which is against islamic religion. Then a group of islamic terrorists came to France and killed

Charlie and other people that worked for the magazine. This was a huge matter in France, and
people all over were saying that they had the right to put that in the newspaper because they had
freedom of the press. In order to honor Charlie Hebdo artists all over the world were drawing
cartoons and writing about the incident. These opinions and drawings were eventually known all
over the world. In the end a march was held in France and the streets were filled. Over 3.7
million people came and marched. Because opinions were being expressed on the topic and
artists were drawing what they think, this was heard all over the world. People came together and
marched to fight back and show that they are stronger than the islamic terrorists. This all
happened because the opinions of political figures, celebrities, and ordinary people were
expressed and heard. Not only were the opinions of everyone worthwhile and important but they
made a difference for France. They reiterated the rights of freedom of press, and freedom of
speech. These opinions promoted democratic values, changed the lives of the family and friends
of Charlie Hebdo.
Another subject that has been talked about is incidents with police brutality. A case in
particular involves an 18 year old african american was shot and killed by a white police officer,
named Darren Wilson. In this case Michael Brown, the 18 year old african american, was shot
multiple times by Wilson and killed. Brown had stolen from a convenient store minutes before
the incident but that isn't what made the police officer stop. Michael and his friend were walking
in the middle of the road, and were told to move but they did not. Then the police officer was
more strict with them but the two boys decided to run. This resulted in Michael being chased by
the police officer and then eventually when Michael stopped it resulted in him being shot
multiple times. Michael was said to have been walking towards the officer when he was being
shot at. This incident caused controversy all over the US. Some people believed that the police

officer was discriminating against Michael, and they also believed that all police officers have
been discriminating blacks. Another thought on the incident was that the police officer did the
right thing, and that the media is over exaggerating the white police officers versus black people.
All different opinions were being expressed and are still are being expressed about not just this
incident but many others like the Freddie Gray case as well. These opinions have lead to insuring
that the justice system is fair, and have made our government and police departments more
aware. Also these opinions have promoted democratic values. The democratic value, Justice, is
being promoted and insured with these opinions being expressed by the media and friends and
family.
Finally opinions expressed by political figures cause major controversy in the US, but
they also allow new beliefs and opinions to be formed. Recently, a lot of people have been
talking about Donald Trump, a presidential candidate in the upcoming election. Donald Trump
stated that people in Mexico are sending rapists and dealers into the United States. This
statement resulted in a lot of thoughts. Most of those thoughts were negative. While the other
candidates in the presidential election are trying to get the votes from Mexicans and hispanics,
Donald Trump seems to be doing the opposite. In previous elections many Hispanics and
Mexicans have chosen not to vote. Even though Donald Trumps statement seems to have been
against hispanics and Mexicans, this sparked something else. His comments made the people he
was offending mad. It actually raised awareness and the desire for more Hispanics and Mexicans
to vote in the upcoming election. Even though Donald Trumps statement was wrong and made a
lot of people mad, it made a difference, and got more people voting in this election. Donald
Trumps opinion was definitely offensive but it was still worthwhile. Also this opinion influenced
and promoted the democratic value of freedom of speech.

Opinions should be expressed no matter if they are wrong or right. They will influence
people or things even if they are wrong. These opinions are expressed through social media,
political figures, and ordinary people, like Donald Trump, and the Michael Brown case, and
Charlie Hebdo. All these situations had good and bad opinions that eventually lead to great
outcomes and revolutionary changes. Opinions do promote democratic values and are
worthwhile.