Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.”

Ah, the First Amendment.

I love the First Amendment. Besides giving me the right to say what I want (without infringing on the rights of others), it allows me to print what I want in my little column, and then hope that someone out there reads it.

This past week, in two of my journalism classes we have discussed the concepts of free speech in great detail. During the Revolutionary War, the colonists fought unwaveringly for the right to speak. Their commitment to preserving their rights was the fuel for the war, and it made us the nation we are today.

Well, so far, you may very well be thinking, “Wow, this is really cheesy. Thanks for the history lesson, Sara.”

But this amendment affects every facet of your life, and it should be a whole lot more important to the student body of Iowa State than it is.

I had the opportunity as a reporter for the Daily to cover the September 29th Movement’s first meeting. I got to hear Meron Wondwosen and Milton McGriff, among others, talk about something in which they fervently believe.

I sat there and listened, unbiased, to their views. Then I got to write them down, all the while getting paid for it.

You may or may not think the September 29th Movement’s push to rename Catt Hall is relevant news. You might not agree with their message. You might just want them to all go away.

Whichever way you feel, though, I’m pretty sure you do have an opinion. Or do you?

Too many people on this campus and in this world suffer from apathy and indifference. Your lives are going just fine and are untouched by controversy. If nothing is wrong, what is there to talk about?

I wrote a column last week that received a lot of feedback, much more than I expected. Some of these respondents irritated me as much as I irritated them, but I had to welcome the replies, because these people are doing something the majority of the students on this campus are neglecting.

They are speaking their mind.

The Constitution gives you the right to say what you want, and you’re not!

There are three issues right now on this campus that are begging for student involvement. ISU’s administration wants your input about Veishea.

The Board of Regents desperately needs your opinions about a tuition hike — although they don’t know it. And, Catt Hall will be renamed OR will be left alone because of student influence.

(Hey, the administration is actually ASKING you for your opinion on Veishea. This is such a rare occurrence that we had better take advantage of.)

You have a chance to be involved in all of this and much more, if you just open your mouth.

Yeah, freedom of speech does carry a certain price.

Officials may try to refuse your right to be heard and restrict you to “free speech” zones. But remember, “Congress shall make no law … ” and neither shall a university.

People may disagree with you, calling you immature and accusing you of whining. But they have their rights, too. Your free speech is only as good as everyone else’s. You have to respect their opinions if you want anyone to respect yours. They have as much right as you to speak their minds.

Sometimes, it may seem like no one is listening to you. You may shout your cause to the world, and it may ignore you. But every great movement was started by a few small ideas. Don’t give up.

My point is not to try to persuade you to agree with me. That will come later. My point now is to tell you to express your own ideas.

Whether it be about September 29th, Veishea, tuition increases, DPS or what have you, decide what you feel and act on it. Stop living a banal existence. Figure out what you believe in and stand up for it.

I don’t agree with the September 29th Movement, but let me tell you, it is amazing to listen to people who are passionate about their beliefs. The world is sorely lacking this sort of enthusiasm. So, follow their lead.

Write, speak, yell, scream, shout your opinions to anyone listening. Our Constitution says you can.

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Sara Ziegler is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.