I Am An American

What Is Freedom?

We often associate America with the word freedom. But do we ever take a moment out of our busy lives to think about what this simple, but very important, word even means?

When I looked up the definition, I found that freedom is "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint." As I was reading this, I realized that I was using freedom to look up its definition. If I wasn't given the freedom to learn things for myself, I wouldn't be capable of learning what freedom is. It's crazy to think that there are lots of people in the world who aren't allowed to whip out their smart phone and look up anything they want to. But it's a reality, and as Americans we need to have a good reality check every once in a while.

As an American I am able to wake up when I want to. I can wear whatever clothes I feel like wearing, and I can say the things that I want to say. I don't have to worry about losing my life or my family when I speak out against something that I know is wrong. Not too long ago, I rarely thought about these rights. But after I began to read and study the Constitution and the Bill of Rights I've done some serious thinking about what it means to be an American.

The first amendment to our constitution says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

This is the most basic list of freedoms and rights that belong to us, the American people. As Americans we are allowed to worship who we want to worship when and where we want to worship them. We are allowed to be who we want to be, and we aren't forced to believe in something we don't actually believe in. There are many other countries where people are forced to follow a certain religion. Remember these people the next time you do or don't attend a religious service. Be grateful for your ability to choose your own beliefs, and try to understand that not everyone has that chance to choose.

We also have the freedom of speech, meaning we can speak our minds. We are able to speak and write the things that are on our minds, when there are other people who are forced to remain silent. There are other people in the world who risk their lives to let people know when there is a problem with the current government or when there is something that needs to be fixed. But all we have to lose is the time that it took to say what we wanted to say.

The government was created for the people. So as citizens, it is our responsibility to speak to the elected officials who represent us. We elect people to speak for us, so why wouldn't we speak to them? Why wouldn't we come together as the American people in the effort to make our country a better, stronger, and safer place for ourselves and for our posterity?

These freedoms are given to us, and it's our responsibility to use them. When we use the freedoms we are given we can make a difference. We can become active participants in the world around us, and we can do the things that will improve ourselves, our communities, our country, and even the world.