Naomi Law: Celebrate freedom but understand freedom is not free

“Freedom is not free” is an American idiom that Ronald Reagan used in his inaugural speech. It is improbable that President Reagan could have foreseen today’s world and our very costly freedom.

Folks who choose not to vote may not truly understand the accuracy of those words. They don't recognize the blood and tear stains on the ballots. 

A true reflection of  American history includes reminders that people of color and women of all races had to “earn” their votes. Now, it seems that voting is still not an absolute for all Americans. It appears that in too many circumstances the right to vote and/or to have one’s vote count is debatable. Voting and freedom are neither guaranteed nor free.

At one time, Americans believed that what happened in other, less developed, countries could never happen here. It was unfathomable that our children could be fearful of going to school. We never thought that mass murders would be commonplace in our streets and places of worship. Unfortunately, we were wrong. Horrific things are happening here. And, there is no guarantee that it will  stop. Freedom, like safety, is increasingly costly.

Freedom is celebrated by many Americans on the Fourth of July. Others celebrate their liberty on other dates, like Juneteenth or Lipanda Day. There are different kinds of freedom celebrations. Many  people have not learned their own history and are unkowingly celebrating other people's days of freedom.

Freedom is confusing. What was a day of freedom for one group may look entirely different for another.

Freedom is certainly not something easily understood. However defined, it is worth protecting. It deserves celebrating.

As an African-American, I dare not naively believe that my freedom is guaranteed. I am reminded of the Tulsa Race Massacre. That is when established Negroes were stripped of their wealth, history, and future. Please don’t tell me that it could never happen again or that it could never happen here. True American history is sensitive and only for informed and respectful discussions.

Speaking of freedom, that is one possible discussion regarding the Jan. 6th Hearings. The Hearings are emotionally draining. However, there is pride for the brave women and men who are willing to testify. Most of all, I feel remorse for those who refuse to watch or listen or learn something difficult to face. Their avoidance means that our country may remain vulnerable  and history will be repeated. Whatever our beliefs, 2022 will influence the perspective of freedom for past, present and future Americans.

Freedom is not free. That is something we too often forget. Freedom is not guaranteed. It is fragile. Those of us who go to bed free and wake up the same should be grateful.

Think for a moment of the Ukrainian people who went to bed, or sent children to school, or prepared a meal only to later discover that  their peaceful lives were forever shattered. Ukrainians will never be the same. We would like to believe that a takeover could never happen here. Believe as you wish, but freedom is never free.

OK, dear readers, what can we do to make a difference? First of all, we can vote. Vote at every opportunity. We can become better informed on both sides of issues. My wise mom used to say, “There are two sides to every story.”  Stop talking so darn much and begin to listen more. Listen and learn something new. Listen, read, study and consider even trying something innovative. Listen and admit that there are other possibilities. 

We can also become more compassionate. We can begin to really care about each other.  

“Care” means WORK. It implies doing something  to make someone else’s life better. When we see something wrong, we can take our head out of the sand, and do something to correct it. We can learn to apologize and admit our mistakes.  We can begin to look for remedies and not  continue to offer excuses or even blame. We can stop trying to eliminate everything or everyone that we personally find disagreeable. 

We may have to change directions, beliefs, churches, parties — you know, the hard stuff. It’s all about freedom.

My experiences tell me that  Americans love freedom.  We also believe that we are always right.  Americans are comfortable making universal decisions and choices for ourselves and others. We believe that we are unquestionably wise. We feel that we, and those like us, deserve every available freedom.   

However, an increasing number of Americans have come to realize that our (fragile, tenuous, hard-earned) freedom is not free. A question is "What happens if we are unwilling or even unable to pay the price?"

Naomi Law was an educator and administrator in Joliet and Oak Park, IL.  She is the author of “The Adventures of Orie the Orpheum Mouse” and serves as a community volunteer.