Amelia Robinson is the Columbus Dispatch’s opinion and community engagement editor.
As our nation nears its 250th birthday, I am convinced more than ever that we aren’t yet adult enough for our most American rights.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
When I am walking to the office, when I am “playing” in my garden, when I am shopping at Giant Eagle … I spend a lot of time thinking about the First Amendment, particularly my favorite parts: the freedoms of speech and the press.
The concept that those rights belong not only to you and those you agree with is too often lost on the collective us, to the detriment of our form of democracy.
This isn’t just about President Donald Trump
The deterioration of the rights at the center of the Bill of Rights is on public display daily.
President Donald Trump, on May 1, called those critical of his war on Iran “treasonous” for saying the United States is not winning the conflict.
It is just one of a myriad of times he has bashed, sued or otherwise targeted those who have disagreed with, questioned, criticized, or in the case of Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Druski and others, made fun of him or those in his circle.
Sure, our overall inability to accept that the First Amendment extends beyond the tips of our noses intensified after Trump descended his golden Trump Tower escalator in 2015 to announce his run for the presidency, but it didn’t start with him. He and his movement are merely masters at weaponizing it.
Trump has taken it far beyond what any U.S. president has done, but this is not only a MAGA thing.
Anti-First Amendment hate and rage from people on the left and right, and in the middle, happens in real life, and all over social media.
Americans are as precious and sensitive as children with skin the thickness of wafer paper.
Gatekeeping the First Amendment – trying to suppress who gets to exercise the right — extends to people of all political persuasions and is as American as blue jeans.
You don’t have the right to say that. You are this if you say that.
A 2025 poll from Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan organization for youth, found that 69% of Americans aged 18 to 35 thought the state of civic discourse in the nation was at “a crisis” level or “a serious problem.”
A 2025 Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute study found that 73% of Americans of various age groups and political affiliations believe we “tolerate outrageous and uncivilized behavior by elected officials” more today than we did in the past.
When asked if the country could focus on what unites us, 47% said they were optimistic. Another 45% expressed pessimism. Seventy-two percent wanted to be part of the solution to restore civility.
Agreeing isn’t the goal
You don’t have to blindly follow, but hearing out opinions you may or may not agree with is critical to our democracy. Vigorous, honest and thoughtful debate has led to great public policy. On a personal level, it allows you to check your stances and/or expand your knowledge.
Like everything else, the freedoms of speech and the press have always come with limits, and the possibility of negative repercussions like losing business or relationships, but Americans have taken it to a dangerous level.
We eagerly demonize the other side.
I know this.
I am sadly accustomed to being threatened and called the enemy of America by all kinds of people for all kinds of opinions I’ve written or edited and published for writers I may or may not agree with.
I’ve been hexed with bad luck from people on the left, the right and dangling in the middle. Sometimes on the same day. Sometimes for the same piece.
Disagreement is expected and encouraged. Trying to shut down the free flow of ideas is the real enemy of America.
Dissent doesn’t have to be dangerous. Political conversations don’t have to turn angry.
Nearly 250 years after our nation was founded and 234 years after the First Amendment was ratified, we are too childish for our most important principles.
Our First Amendment rights are our foundation.
If we want to keep them, and this nation, we must grow up. Part of that means listening to – not attempting to silence – Americans we disagree with and attempting to find common ground.
It is one way to help ensure we make it to our 251st and beyond.
Amelia Robinson is the Columbus Dispatch’s opinion and community engagement editor.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 250 years later, and thin-skinned America is too immature for free speech | Opinion
Reporting by Amelia Robinson, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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