Editorial: What Freedom Means to Us

by Lin McNulty

I have always been aware and grateful, even in childhood, of how fortunate I am to have been born in the United State of America. Answering the question, however, of what freedom means to me is difficult—mostly because I, like probably many of us, take it for granted; it’s just what we do, it’s who and what we are.

My first thought in answering this query was that I get to sleep in as long as I want. How’s that for being self-indulgent? But maybe that’s the big benefit: I get to do what I want, without fear.

I am aware there are responsibilities involved, there are laws that must be abided. Being free, though, means I have the freedom to break those laws if I choose; I can choose to pay the consequences. I have full use of the oft-debated free will.

Even though I served some time in military service, I have a problem with the supposed “cost” of freedom that seems to keep us embroiled in wars that may or may not have anything to do with preserving our American way of life and only benefit corporations.

Freedom should be free.

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by Margie Doyle

Freedom means freedom from fear

• not having police coming to the front door because your brother shot out the streetlights
• not having bill collectors call and upset your mom

Freedom means freedom of movement

• being able to cross borders after answering a few questions and showing my identity
• being able to walk around at night
• going to the ocean, or the Salish Sea, and not facing “No Trespassing” signs on the beach

Freedom means freedom of expression

• to vote without barriers, hassles and objections
• to know what those in authority are saying and doing
• to ask honest questions and get honest answers
• to adhere to my own code, even though it may be a “different drum” from others

Freedom means freedom from want

• to know if I am truly needy in mind or body, I can find help
• to distinguish my true needs and honest ambitions from imposed wants and phony achievements

Freedom means being able to sleep at night because you have a clear, or forgiving, conscience.

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By Cara Russell

Last night a friend and I drove out to Deer Harbor to watch the fireworks. After arriving, we walked on to the dock and began planning if we would stay there or sit on the beach. We didn’t have to question that for long. “How are you?” a voice called to me from a small boat with eight or so of my peers onboard. “Want to come out and watch the fireworks on the water?” Without a heartbeat my answer was “Yes, please:” Choice

Now, I don’t consider myself to be someone who knows many members from the boating community, and before last night, I only knew the names of two others boats in the San Juan Islands. So, I don’t know why I wasn’t surprised, when we found out that the plan for this little boat was to meet up out on the water with them: Assembly.

We laughed, and talked, ate and drank. Occasionally I asked someone “What is freedom to you?” with a little laugh. Though everyone was in the spirit of having an enjoyable evening the answers were what I expected. To gather with like-minded people, entertain ourselves, speak freely, wear what we wish, think what we wish, and exercise free will.

The sky began to get pink, and our crowded little boat merrily pushed away from the dock and set out to join the caravan. We were greeted by familiar, smiling faces of people that I have known for years, as well as new ones. Someone handed me a grilled oyster on the half shell with a dollop of something tasty and a drop of tequila chaser. I climbed from beautiful boat to boat, exploring and engaged in many different conversations. I watched the fireworks from the bow of one such boat, with friend on either shoulder: Move.

When the sky was dark and crisp with stars, my friend and I decided that we needed to get back to land. So we did. A man who before last night was a stranger to me, took us back in his dingy: Act.

How free the whole night felt, aside from the wristband I was required to wear for access to the dock. I was free to go where I please, see who I please, talk about what I think, and as I watched the fireworks with everyone else, and know that what I am thinking in that moment is heard by no one but me: Privacy.

It seems so easy to me, that everyone should have the same rights to move and act freely, no matter what their gender, social class, color, creed, or karma, as long as they act morally responsible. What does freedom mean to me? It’s a feeling that I like to call contentment. And when I feel like I am being denied my freedom, I feel restrained, afraid, pain, guilt, and resentment. To feel content in our lives is all that any of us can ask for, and what we all deserve. I don’t want to get too serious about this subject, I just wanted to state how I feel about the freedom I have in my own life, to move, act, speak, think, and choose I wish.