Pinned
As we spiral towards an uncertain future we need to understand the word freedom. It isn’t a concept inherent to people at birth. Freedom is a taught value. Something, we as a society, strive for and pass the flame of from generation to generation. Freedom is taught by, either the tutelage of a trusted figure while we are young or through the harsh teams of circumstance while we grow up.
Because freedom is a taught through so many different methods, it can have a multitude of meanings. The freedom experienced by the poor varies greatly to the freedom of the ultra-wealthy. The freedom of minorities varies from the freedom of majorities. The freedom of the oppressed varies greatly from the freedom of the oppressors.
Timothy Snyder poses the idea that freedom can be defined in 2 ways. The freedom from and the freedom to. The US was founded on the freedom to self govern, the freedom to speak without persecution, the freedom to practice any religion and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
In the years leading up to and following the civil war, the US shifted to freedom from. Freedom from having to deal with differing life styles, freedom from government interference, freedom from accepting social calls for change and finally the freedom from tyranny.
The difference between the 2 forms of freedom can boil down to the freedom of the oppressed and the freedom of the oppressors.
Starting in the 1900s Americans strived and fought to redefine the word freedom. With great efforts the American people gained the rights for women to vote, the freedom to be equal under the rule of law, the freedom to attend school, the freedom to have a safe work environment, the freedom to get equal pay, the freedom to live wherever you want, the freedom to love whomever you choose, freedom to marry whomever you choose and lastly the freedom to peacefully protest without the fear of incarceration without due process.
Over the past 8 years we have seen these rights eroded, weakened or destroyed by those who view freedom from as their core values. We have seen peaceful protestors charged as domestic terrorists, we have seen journalists beaten and arrested, we have seen hateful rhetoric become the main talking point of the powerful and we have seen the right to make your own choices about your body be removed.
Unfortunately we are heading to a time where the freedom of the oppressors will be the rule of the land. When this happens it is the duty of the American people to resist and fight for our rights. Fight for the right to exist, fight for the right to be ourselves, fight for the right to practice whatever religion you see fit, fight for the right of bodily autonomy and fight for the right speak freely without worrying about retribution.
It will be important for us to be as courageous as we can and stand together to fight for what freedoms we hold most dear.
If you need help finding a group to help you stand up for with please visit https://weareworthfightingfor.org to find an organization near you or to get training and tools on how to form your own group.
