What Freedom Means to Me

Free*dom (noun)

First appeared before 12th Century

1 : the quality or state of being free: as

a : the absence of necessity, or constraint in choice or action

b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : INDEPENDENCE

July 4th, 1776, the bloodshed ceases and the dust settles. From within the war emerged a new country, run by no one other than themselves. This was the dawn of our country, which so many others look at and admire even today. They admire us for our courage and bravery, but most of all for our hard fought freedom. We had won our liberation from the British and we were no longer controlled by them. Our freedom came at a cost, we lost thousands of lives and many would never get to see what they fought so hard for. It is quite a shame, but it is thanks to those people, that we have the rights that we do.

Freedom means something different to everyone that is why it is so special. I feel freedom is the ability to be one's self. By that I mean we are able to think whatever we want and do whatever we want as long as it doesn't interfere with others. Other countries have laws on what they can read or write, while ours lets us do what we want. People in foreign countries have strict laws prohibiting them from many things such as certain books and anything their government finds to be objectionable. They must share the views of their government or face possible death. We however, can voice who we are and what we feel. Basically we are allowed to be ourselves. I ask you, if being yourself isn't freedom, what is?

I for one am glad I live in this country. I'm grateful that I can do as I please. I think that we should thank our forefathers for providing us with such a great place to live. They fought for what they felt was right and they won. Their happiness meant so much to them that Patrick Henry went as far as to say "Give me Liberty, or give me death!" We should never lose touch of what they fought for. Lets continue with their ideas and dreams because our children have the right to be who they want to be, just like we do.