… Let Freedom Ring
What do we mean when we say “freedom?” Freedom from from what? Freedom to do what?
Most of us hold it as self-evident truth that murder is wrong and that slavery is wrong, and rightly so. But if you had to explain it to someone, how would you explain it? I would start with the self-evident truth that everyone is born with talent and the desire to unleash it. One’s desire to unleash their talent manifests as their conscience. So, that’s what freedom means—the liberty to follow one’s own conscience, no matter the obstacle and no matter the sacrifice.
Murder is wrong because, when you destroy someone’s life, you destroy their talent, you destroy their liberty, and you destroy the contribution that person’s talent would have made to the wellbeing of the entire community. Slavery is wrong because one person hijacks another person’s liberty to follow their own conscience, and no one has any right to do that. The murder or enslavement of any one person makes the whole world less than it could be, because the optimal expression of one person’s talent can change the world for the better.
What do we mean when we say “the Land of Opportunity?” The opportunity to do what? When you come to America, you are afforded the opportunity to follow your conscience, no matter the obstacle or the sacrifice, because America flourishes when you unleash the optimal expression of your talent.
Freedom is accompanied by responsibilities, by definition. When you follow your conscience, you will need to overcome obstacles and you will need to make sacrifices. When you unleash the optimal expression of your talent, you will make a meaningful contribution to the flourishing of your community.
Do you want to live a life of freedom, meaning, and contribution? Then shoulder your responsibility. Following your conscience, no matter the obstacle and no matter the sacrifice, is simultaneously a freedom, a responsibility, and an opportunity. That’s the American Way, as in “truth, justice, and the American Way.”
Do you find your self rolling your eyes at these “romanticized” versions of American ideals? Why is that? Is it because of the unconscionable crimes that have been committed in our names, both at home and abroad? How did those events come to pass? Is it because far too many of us sacrificed conscience for distractions like: status and approval, comfort and safety, and meaningless, momentary pleasures?
Remember that accountability is a standard that you hold yourself to, because how you do anything is how you do everything. How do you expect other people to do things? How do you do things? Are the answers to those questions two different standards? Is that how you want to live your life?
Do you want to live in the Land of Opportunity? Do you want freedom from tyranny? Do you want the freedom to unleash the optimal expression of your talent? Then follow your conscience, no matter the obstacle and no matter the sacrifice. If you’ve got my back, then I’ve got yours. Let’s do this.