What is liberty? According to multiple dictionaries, the definition of this noun is:
1. The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.
2. The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
3. A right or privilege, especially a statutory one.
Although the definitions are all similar, there are nuances that separate them. The first one is what most people think of when they are asked to describe the “American way of life” as we puff up and thump our patriotic breasts.
As a woman (of a certain age), I can recall instances in my life where I didn’t enjoy the same liberty as some of my fellow (male) citizens. For example: as I was choosing a career in veterinary medicine the admission requirements were written specifically to screen out any women. Namely you had to be able to bench press your body weight and carry (not just lift) 50 pounds. As a petite girl with limited upper body strength it was obvious to me that I couldn’t apply because I didn’t meet the “physical requirements” as outlined in the admissions application. I never had a word for all the times that I was skipped over when I knew the answer or called out when I didn’t (can you say micro-aggression) but I didn’t dwell on it because THAT WAS JUST THE WAY IT WAS.
I was lucky that I was not born a minority or in a foreign country. I was not born or raised in poverty. My parents were married and stayed that way my whole life. I never experienced want, or hunger, or lack of shelter, or fear for my safety as a child. I have never been a victim of violence (domestic or otherwise). I’ve never been raped or molested. I have for the most part lived with liberty as a reality. Which brings me to this day, Independence Day.
For so many Americans, liberty is an illusion. It is a concept that they can see but only from a distance. I work with several individuals who identify as Gay. They are “out” to their coworkers but not to the public at large. This is a self-defense mechanism since they are very careful not to invite discrimination. They fear that they may not get the apartment. They are concerned that they will have poor service at restaurants. The list goes on but there are enough examples to convince me that if you shout from the roof tops that you are different from the accepted “normal” you can expect to be treated differently and that means poorly. Today is the commemoration of the formation of our country and the announcement that we support Liberty for our citizens. The current political climate makes liberty that much further out of reach for so many more people.
While I’m thankful for the liberty I experience, I am going to sign every petition to let my government know that I condemn the separation of children from parents at the border. I’m going to write my Representative and my Senator expressing my opposition to the decision for my government to withdraw from the Human Rights Commission. I’m going to donate to the local food pantry. I’m going to donate to the Women’s Shelter for abused women. I’m supporting Hannah’s House for unwed mothers who have been left homeless by boyfriends or worse – family. And finally after all that I’m going to pray. What are you going to DO?
A Different Perspective 