This was authored by an American Patriot and a friend.
Freedom.
Given recent events, that word should have new meaning. In July, we celebrate the 244th anniversary of our independence from England. This independence represented a freedom from repression, freedom from tyranny, and freedom from oppression.
Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of the “New World” was the freedom to be as big as we wished to be. We weren’t born into a mold. America truly was the land of opportunity. By our own hand, we could become rich or poor; we could improve our life; we could live better than kings, or worse than paupers. This freedom came with a terrible price: we had to work for it. America is not just a place; it exists in the minds and hearts of people; location has little to do with it.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us had taken our freedoms for granted. We could travel where we wished, gather in groups as large as we wished, go see movies, eat in restaurants, shop in stores, make physical contact with other people, and show our faces. Heck, we even had the freedom to touch our own face! For years, we enjoyed being able to speak our minds.
In an instant, almost, these freedoms vanished. Suspicion and mistrust of others took the place of the freedoms we once enjoyed. Social norms like shaking hands and hugging became bad habits—taboos. Even participating in sports activities—or watching such activities from the bleachers—was stripped away. Going to the gym was taken from us. Restaurants, bars, and banks banned us from their interiors. Gardening was fine—as long as you didn’t need to buy anything, in which case it was prohibited. Amusement and nature parks closed. At the stores, the products from what used to be a land of plenty became bare shelves. Lines developed, and we had to wait in them. Our roads emptied. New terms, such as “Social Distancing” and “Shelter at Home” came into existence. Physical barriers were erected to keep people segregated. In many places, masks were required. Violence broke out in some places, exposing the true nature of some people.
Many businesses closed, with some probably never to re-open. People with once secure jobs were furloughed. Even hospitals refused entry. Despite a shortage of product for purchase, farmers couldn’t sell their produce. Animals meant for consumption were destroyed. Businesses that were open were understaffed. People were forced to work from home. Customer service took a further nose dive.
The economy that was booming came to a screeching halt. Our bank accounts went on a diet, and our retirement funds sailed away. For some of us, finances have been a challenge, over the last few months. Some have suffered the dehumanizing indignity of accepting handouts from the government. Others have accepted food from a pantry. Although financially OK, others have been stuck at home with the valuelessness of having no job.
An enemy struck, from a distance, inflicting itself on us invisibly. No one is immune. Our mortality is before us, but we know not where or when. More than 100,000 people died from the hand of this enemy.
Never before had our freedoms been so abrogated. Across the board, we were relegated to a sub-human status.
Despite all this, we remained who we are. Some of us got to learn things about ourselves—things we may or may not have liked. In some cases, we got to know other people better—and may or may not have liked the new knowledge. In this time of isolation, many of us have found who and what we are.
Some might call this our darkest hour, but this may yet be our finest hour. As Americans, we have the blood of pioneers running through our veins. We share an indomitable spirit. We will not quietly fade into the night. We will not succumb to fear, depression, or the mass hysteria pushed by the media.
This Independence Day, we will again speak with one voice. We will declare that we will not be oppressed, repressed, or tyrannized. For too many years, our rights have been trampled upon and slowly taken away. For too long, we have suffered indignity and marginalization. This must end. We will not be stripped of our basic, natural freedoms. Enough is enough!
It is up to us to lead the way. Each of us are again called upon to rebuild our country, to cast off the tarnish, and remain the world’s shining star. For many, we are the last ray of hope, and the last bastion of freedom.
This Independence Day, we once again restore our freedom!
