Freedom is highly valued in this nation; it is one of the central themes this country was founded on. In the past year or so, I have also been exploring the word freedom and its many meanings.
Ultimately, freedom can be defined differently by different people. It is ignorant to assume that people who celebrate different ideas of freedom are not "free" just because they do not celebrate the individual freedoms that the USA is founded on.
For example, many people are in an uproar about the full body scanners at the US airports; they believe it is a violation of their freedom and privacy. I believe, however, that the TSA searches help ensure and safeguard freedom in this country. Because of those full-body scanners, I can feel reasonably safe on airplanes, and air travel is not restricted. While an individual might feel violated, an entire community can feel safe and free to travel about because of these air travel restrictions.
As another example, I recently had the good fortune to travel to Burlington, Vermont, for pleasure. In learning a little about this small, beautiful city, I learned that the city has come along way from it's more industrial, polluted, and shabby days. In the 70's the beautiful Lake Champlain water front was all bought up by wealthy home-owners and businesses. Burlington elected mayor Bernie Sanders, who campaigned on the slogan, "The waterfront is not for sale," and won. Today, the waterfront is public space, with public beaches, public parks, and small, local, businesses dotting the waterfront. A 12-mile recreation trail traces the edge of the lake to the causeway. Residents and visitors of Burlington alike are invited to appreciate the lake's beauty and pleasant waters. While there must be regulations in place in order for people to buy up land (thus, taking away the freedom to buy), the entire community is free to enjoy the waterfront as they please.
There is often a lot of talk of our country progressing towards socialism; there is often talk of the personal liberties our country was founded on being taken back. Freedom is a challenge to understand. If individuals are concerned only with their own personal rights, they will surely violate their neighbor's freedoms while exercising their own. Freedom must be looked at in the context of the community or the entire population. Freedom is found in the space where everyone has equal access to amenities and quality of life. Certain rules, policies, and ethical guidelines are put in effect not to limit us but to help us experience our freedoms without concern and to ensure equal distribution of freedoms and liberties.
The rules will set you free.
--Megan
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