Book excerpt: One of the great benefits of living in a free country is having the right to freely express yourself. In the United States, the Constitution guarantees free speech for everyone. This freedom also applies to writing, art, music, and other forms of expression. Still, there are limits. Sometimes students face greater restrictions from their schools. Knowing your rights of free speech can be empowering and encourage people to put forth their beliefs, opinions, and ideas. This book explains issues of free speech in today's world and gives readers the knowledge they need to fully exercise this basic human right.