The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution safeguards the right to free speech, a principle central to democracy. However, the extent of this right remains under constant debate, with differing opinions on the demarcation between protected and unprotected speech. As such, engage in a thoughtful exploration of your interpretation of where this delineation should exist.

In your answer, integrate the analysis of pertinent historical or recent Supreme Court cases examined in our class that shed light on this constitutional gray area. Then, highlight how these legal precedents contribute to understanding the boundary between protected and unprotected speech. Cite two references.