It seems Americans stand ready to “take the Fifth,” a right they believe is granted to them by their First Amendment….
This is another one of those stories where people are asked some pretty basic questions about civics, and instead they know more about pop culture. The latest survey found Americans have an easier time identifying Homer Simpson and his cartoon family than listing the five freedoms granted by the nation’s founders.
Among freedoms not mentioned in the Constitution but listed by some respondents were the right to have pets and the right to drive. Let’s all think about that one for a minute. Read on:
Characters from The Simpsons pose with their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a 2000 file photo. REUTERS/Rose Prouser
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3 comments so far
This study seems skewed. The Simpsons are modern, animated characters whereas the First Ammendment is a portion of a written document. The Simpsons appear in commercials, on products, in the tv show, etc whereas the First Ammendment is practically only ever cited in textbooks, news artciles, and other less in-your-face media methods. A comparison of the Simpsons vs the Disney princess would be accurate. A comparison of the First Ammendment to the Gettysburg Address would be accurate. But the Simpsons to the First Ammendment?
- Posted by Kail CeannaiThe point of the study (and the Article I believe) was to show that the majority Americans know more about pop culture than they do about their own rights as citizens. It’s unfortunate that those whom are born American citizens are ignorant of their own rights and freedoms.
- Posted by starkcI think both Kail and starkc make good points. Bravo.
Obviously, the First Amendment is more important than the Simpsons, but Americans are barely exposed to their Constitution. It’s something people take for granted. They wouldn’t notice it unless it was taken away from them.
- Posted by Jonathan