Speeches during a graduation ceremony are a norm that is widely recognized throughout the world and the US in particular. However, the US Constitution harbors certain restrictions on the type of speeches given on these auspicious occasions. The scenario at hand involves a non-denominational salutatorian prayer. The First Amendment has occasioned the situation, which prohibits any religious practice in learning institutions during school hours. The Supreme Court has pronounced itself in interpreting the establishment clause for this Amendment and further extrapolates its inhibitory effect to all other vital school-sponsored functions. As a result, if one has to be given, prayer has to be devoid of religious connotations that may breach this provision of the law.
By doing so, the government infringes on two vital civil liberties that the same Constitution guarantees. The two liberties being violated are the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion. Time and again, the Courts have established that students’ rights regarding these two liberties have been muzzled and infringed. Ironically, the same courts have upheld the censorships under the pretext of unduly exposing other parties to religious practices that they might disapprove of. The freedom of speech is violated by limiting what the salutatorian and other speakers will say during this graduation, even though they may be wishing to express their feelings by incorporating religious aspects. On the other hand, the government’s freedom of religion is violated by not allowing the salutatorian and other speakers in school events to express their religious views and pray when necessary. These violations are not justifiable at all as they infringe on people’s rights and freedoms.