Published February 13, 2005 in the Hibbing Daily Tribune
We hear about freedom a lot these days. In his inaugural and state of the union addresses, President Bush seemed to use the word “freedom” more than verbs and articles combined. The Super Bowl pre-game program celebrated the proud history of freedom in America. Iraqi citizens exercised freedom on Jan. 30, voting in their first-ever democratic election. Freedom is indeed on the march.
That’s a popular thing, because, in general, people like freedom. Advertisers use the word “freedom” to sell large, growling SUVs, hair products and adult diapers. Politicians get elected on just that one shining word: freedom. Country legend Merle Haggard talks about “bein’ free” in most of his songs. He’s for it.
As much as everyone loves freedom, an alarmingly large number of people seem to have no idea what is involved in the practice of freedom. Everyone wants the freedom to live their lives as they see fit, but seem to get all bunched up when they see “free” expression they don’t like.
A recent survey conducted for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation by University of Connecticut researchers shows that American youth have a dismal, even frightening perspective on the “freedoms” trumpeted by so many in the media and the current government. The full study, which details how American students are missing vital education on their Constitutional rights, is available at www.knightfdn.org.
Out of 112,000 American high school students, 75 percent believe it is currently illegal to burn an American flag. Almost half believe the government has the right to censor the Internet. More than a third think the government should approve the content of newspapers.
These beliefs exist at a time when you can’t watch 10 seconds of political or international news without hearing about “freedom.” If you have cable TV, you may well hear the word “freedom” once or twice just in flipping channels. There is no shortage of talk about freedom, just a terrible lack of understanding about freedom.
It is very easy to express a majority viewpoint, especially if it matches the views of the government. Freedom is being able to express a minority or opposing viewpoint without fear of legal or physical harm. Most of the great ideas in human history started out as unpopular or even despised notions. Examples include limits on the powers of monarchs, democracy, religious reform, women’s equality, the civil rights movement and the advancement of scientific progress that created today’s lifestyle of comfort and longevity.
People died for these things because our ancestors did not have our freedoms. People in other countries still die for lack of that vague element Americans call “freedom.”
So if you don’t like seeing a burning American flag, say something. If you don’t like people criticizing the government, speak up. Take action in your community and at the ballot box. But don’t forget that you can do this, by choice, because you are free.
Freedom is not a brand name. It is not a fad, nor is it always pretty; however, real freedom – the kind that isn’t subject to the whim of mob logic – is the reason our country exists and thrives.
Show me a person who thinks the Iraqi elections were good, but thinks the U.S. government should censor its citizens or dictate how they express their views, and I’ll show you a fool who will cost us our own freedom.
Dust off an old copy of the Bill of Rights and take a look. Show your kids. It’s a short read, and a good one.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist for the Hibbing Daily Tribune.