Monday, July 21, 2008

Freedom [A guest editorial]


A political right. A personal liberty. Freedom. So many times when people think of the subject of freedom, they think only of not being in slavery. So many times when a young child is annoying another and is asked to stop, he’ll say, “It’s a free country, and I can do what I want to.” But do these people really know what freedom means?

This simple, yet so complex idea has changed America, a country in which almost all black people were slaves, into a place where every man and woman is equal. Freedom means that one is able to do what one wants to do.

America’s government puts limits on our freedom, but why? To protect us, the American people, and still it protects our freedom. These restrictions make it so no one can take away our freedom. It has been securely put into place.

Freedom could represent an action, describing the ease with which somebody moves, the ease with which someone speaks.

In order to move freely, one must have a certain grace. This implies that grace and freedom have a connection. To speak freely, one says what’s on his or her mind, but does this mean that grace has gone away? Depending on the idea of the speaker, yes and no. Some people can be quite blunt, others, more eloquent.

Physical actions could not be performed with a physical restraint. External control would not allow one to walk, run, sit, or stand. Luckily, most of the people in this world are allowed to move without iron coveralls restricting every movement. So many people take this for granted every day, and so many people expect it to be there no matter what time of day it is or who is in charge of their life.

Freedom can also be mental—to have the freedom to think is something that is granted to every human being born. If we did not have the freedom to think, we’d all be vegetables lying around on dirt. Nothing would be accomplished.

Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual freedom come easily to most people, but with these freedoms come great responsibility. This responsibility is to make the right choices concerning the person’s own welfare and the welfare of those around him.

Remember: freedom is ambiguous, yet versatile. It can be exhilarating, but it can also become a trap. This only will happen, though, if the free person ignores the responsibility that comes with freedom, his own welfare, and the welfare of those around him.

Freedom: what are you going to do with yours?

copyright © 2007 by ALW, age 14. All rights reserved.

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http://auntieeartha.blogspot.com/2008/07/freedom.html

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