Freedom Is Just Another Word

Freedom is a word that seems easy enough to understand. Growing up, I was taught that the word “freedom” means a break from some oppressive force. Like, when the French commonfolk in the 1780s formed their own government by overthrowing the previous aristocracy. Or when the American settlers fought for their social and religious freedom from the British Empire. Another idea I had for “freedom” involved destroying the barriers of some socially accepted custom of society like miscegenation (blacks and whites marrying), which had been taboo until the late-1960s. I was also told about various types of freedoms, including speech, religion, and press. These are freedoms that other countries, such as China, Cuba, and North Korea, did not give to their citizens. However, I never knew that there are over 14 uses of the word, with multiple definitions each! I did understand that freedom meant release from slavery, but I did not know that the actual land given to the “free-man” was considered freedom. 

I chose the word “freedom” because it is a word I hear everywhere. There are innumerable examples of it in literature, politics, war, and many more. I even have a shirt I wear that conspicuously writes the word across my chest. I have always felt there was a “need” to break the traditional boundaries of society. My psyche always has been to applaud the person that is freed from something or someone, and gained their freedom. 

Recently, on my school trip to Chengdu, China, I was informed of the many restrictions I would observe during my stay. The socialistic government has imposed rules on its citizens, such as the One-Child Policy, censorship, and other restrictions on human rights. However, while visiting, I noticed that life did not seem as oppressive as I was told. Students were able to use the internet, have cell phones, communicate directly in the urban city, and most especially, my host parents were content with only having one child. This situation has thrown a curve ball into my preconceived notions of freedom.