The United States has surely come a long way since the days of being under British rule, and partly because many people shared the same hopes and aspirations as a society-to be free from the rule of others. Fighting for freedom and equality continued to be a constant battle before and during the existence of the United States and still remains one to this day. Many argue that the British government was a negative thing and that people needed to stray from it in order to unite as a whole and be independent as a nation. Thus, the people would abide by different rules and not take direction from a monarchy that was supposedly bad for them, but instead come together as one and claim the freedom and equality they deserve. The British monarchy was undeniably strict and had much command over the colonies in America which prevented people from living how they wanted. Thomas Paine, a philosopher, made the point, “This new World hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe,” implying that America was the needed freedom from British rule (Common Sense). After being under control of another government for so long, there was a common feeling of serenity because America was a safe space for the colonies to reside in. He further expresses how the people should flee from British rule as it is an unfair nation. Not only an unfair nation, but one that opposes any other authority other than its own bloodline. Paine explains that the
Ever since the attack of the World Trade Center on 9/11, the United States of America has worked hard to enhance its national security. However, this increase in security often conflicts with the freedoms that are given to America’s citizens. America is all about freedom - after all, we fought so hard for it when we began breaking ties with England. So, when new security measures began to prevent us from having certain freedoms, it raised the following question: how can we balance safety and personal liberty? It’s a tricky question - it’s hard to keep people safe while at the same time allowing them to be so free. Freedom comes with the ability for people to make their own decisions - and those decisions aren’t always the best. In my opinion,
Advancing freedom worldwide is a long held priority of the United States. As such, America prides itself as a role model to other nations by serving as a symbol of the merits of freedom and equal rights. An example of this came in 1945 after the collapse of the Nazi empire. During this time, the city of Berlin was split into East and West Berlin.
As Americans we enjoy many different types of freedoms, some of which we take for granted. We have a plethora of opportunities in jobs, sites to see, religions, and lifestyles. I am very thankful that we get to grow as individuals and make the choices we desire rather than someone choosing them for us.
Freedom House was established in 1941 in the United States and focused first on the threat to freedom represented by Nazism. After the war, in its own words, it “took up the struggle against the other great twentieth century totalitarian threat, Communism” and defined its mission as working for the spread of democracy and human rights in the world.
“Give me liberty or give me death!” With these notable words articulated in a 1775 speech, Patrick Henry expressed the immense desire he possessed for freedom. This statement summed up the plea that ultimately impelled the Virginia House of Burgesses to mobilize for military action. A few weeks later, the American Revolution marked the beginning of the intense struggle in which thirteen of Great Britain’s North American colonies eventually obtained their independence. Today, the 4th of July celebrates the United States of America’s Day of Independence as it recalls when this country declared its independence from Great Britain. Freedom is a value of great importance. Having the ability to enjoy political autonomy and to do what one pleases at will is treasured by the citizens of a nation that enjoys being a free society. Who does not cherish the power to exercise the faculty of choice in political, social, and financial matters? Nevertheless, the notions that some of us have about the essence of freedom are at times faulty or misguided.
America is not the only country that is free. Many countries share the same rights as outlined in our Bill of Rights. Freedom can mean the freedom of speech, freedom for education, freedom of religion, or even freedom of government reprisal. Freedom applies in many different ways. Freedom is being able to experience life your own way and not have someone or something (government) tell you.
Freedom has been present in American literature and American history ever since this country was formed. Ever since the colonists declared independence from England, freedom has been the staple of America and it continues to be as many people leave their homes and come to our country just to seek it. The Declaration of Independence started the need for freedom and later documents such as What Is The Fourth of July to a Negro continued the prospect of everyone deserving freedom in America. Everyone deserves to have the same rights and the same freedoms of anyone else, it doesn't matter where you live or what you look like everyone has the freedom of speech and thought. The freedom of thought is something that freedom is built on, what you
The freedom and openness of media plays a central role in politics and it is often portrayed as a fourth branch of government in democratic systems, such as the United States (Choi, James, 2006). Ideally, the role of the media, in a democratic state, is to provide a voice for the marginalized in society. Therefore a failure to insure press freedom is a failure of democracy. Taking this into account, it is evident that negative portrayal of African Americans in the media leads to oppressive behaviour in the political system, and this is directly correlated to the status of United States as a democratic country. Press freedom, within a state, leads to enlightened understanding of political policies and effective participation of all in the electoral
“The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all world.” President George H. W. Bush once proclaimed, to remind us that even when the world around us is changing the only thing that will never disappear is our freedom. According to a dictionary, freedom is the power to act, speak, or think without restraint, but freedom is truly much more than that. Freedom is what allows each and everyone of us to be unique, and defines what the Unites States is all about. Freedom may come with a price, but it allows us to receive an education.
Austin—a city renowned for its strives towards liberation—glimmers as a hub of cultural vibrancy in Texas. This city excludes itself from the conservative frame of mind that is deeply embedded within Texan culture, and its people celebrate the freedom to explore their human identity through self-expression. The live music here charms listeners, drawing them out to bars, clubs, backyards, garages, churches, and concert halls, filling the air with harmonies that comprise the spirit of Austin. Performers use themselves as instruments to highlight aspects of the human condition, inciting a sense a unity between the viewers and the performer. Assemblages of visual artists and artisans attempt to make sense of their world through their work. As
democracy’s ideal of a country where there is “liberty and justice for all”, though a
One of the foundations of American society is the belief that freedom reigns above all else. However, this does not seem to be the case in recent years. Due to early opposition to organization, the Constitution in the United States outlines rights to freedom unprecedented in other areas around the globe. Based originally in freedom of religion, American freedom exists in all arenas. For example, freedom of speech provides all people with the ability to say anything on their mind. In some situations, however, freedom does not offer the sense of safety many individuals desire. Recently there have been several instances in the American cultural sphere that seem to lean the culture towards embracing safety, even though such practices may compromise freedom itself. Instances of the sort include the desire for protection from racism and violence based on race, availability of safe spaces, as well as opposition to their establishment, isolationist policies within political parties, social media influences and targeted advertising, as well as fear from large uncertainties like gun abuse and terrorism. Freedom from ideas discourages freedom of ideas, but offers an illusion of safety to the individual.
The country of America is built on the idea of freedom. Early colonists fought a war to gain freedom from Britain, and once they won, made sure to give their newly-earned rights to America’s citizens. Everything else in American History has been based off of this idea, such as when the Civil War was fought over the controversy of slaves’ freedom. Elena’s experiences in “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer reflect all of the freedoms that American citizens get.
Since the beginning of time, our world has been changing and inhabiting groups of different people throughout. The recipe for a well-functioning society was produced with leadership and order as one of the main ingredients. As time has progressed, the qualifications of leaders and what the people should follow have changed immensely. Places around the world have different styles of leadership and civilization, and since the creation of the 13 colonies, America has been a republic that it is well-known for today. Despite the protest, and acts of people throughout this century, the idealistic society hasn’t been reached. In order for the United States of America to prosper, total equality and peace should be established.
of us fail to cherish and value our granted freedom. Many of us do not