A Separate View

Freedom to me

What does freedom mean to you? How do you express your freedom? Do you consider yourself 'free'?

Freedom is a basic human right I value greatly. Freedom is walking into the voting booth and casting a ballot for any candidate of my choice. Freedom is walking down Main Street on a Sunday morning and walking into any church I choose for worship. Freedom is turning away, without persecution, those who come calling to persuade me to change my faith. Freedom is my choice to become educated and others’ choice not to. Freedom is being able to work for a better life, being able to choose a career, and being able to spend my money how I see fit to spend it. Freedom is being able to go where I want to go and live my life the way I choose to live it. It is being able to say what I want to say and write what I want to write. Freedom is being able to fly the flag I want to fly … and the flag I choose is Old Glory!

I am free because I live the United States of America. I express my freedom by voting on election day, being a proud American, and honoring veterans who protect my freedom. I love my country. I know it’s not perfect, but at least I know I’m free.