An MCC Constitutional

Quick - how many of you can name at least two members of the Simpsons cartoon family?

Now how many of you can name more than one of the five fundamental freedoms granted to you by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

That was the question posed to more than 70 students that turned out for MCC's annual Constitution Day events today.  This year's event featured a morning presentation by Clea Andreadis, MCC's Dean of Social Science and Human Services.  Andreadis, a former Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney, spoke about the Bill of Rights and how its significance has been shaped by history.  She specifically spoke about how it affects Americans today, and in particular, the younger generation.  Several Criminal Justice classes attended the presentation.

"The Bill of Rights: Striking the Balance" presentation was sponsored by the Middlesex Student Activities Office, and held at MCC's City Campus in observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day at MCC.  According to Andreadis, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution - the Bill of Rights -is not only an important legal document, but it has become a cultural symbol of American values.  But what happens to the Bill of Rights during times of national crisis?  High marks for Andreadis for her refresher in American civics!

With regard to the Simpsons, Andreadis referred to a 2006 national survey of 1,000 American adults by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum that found that 22 percent of Americans can name all five of the fictional Simpsons family members, while just 1/10th of 1 percent were able to name all five freedoms granted under the First Amendment.

For the record, it's Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom to Petition for Redress of Grievances.  And oh yeah, the Simpsons are Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie.

How'd you do with the question?