What we should remember about our freedoms and rights

Published July 1, 2023 Herald Forum

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it’s hard not to think about the freedom we are celebrating. While several definitions exist that examine freedom, I like the Merriam-Webster version that goes a bit further than simply not being restrained or in captivity. That definition holds up “The absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action.”

Recently, I had the privilege of listening to a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre share his story. He explained that for him, freedom meant celebrating an “opportunity of life.”

As I sit with the blessing of living in this country and my freedoms, I have had to separate the definitions of freedom and rights. I think that freedom is the state of being when you get to live within the value and belief system of your choosing. A right is something that is given to us by a society or governing body. Rights are often enforced by laws or governments. Freedom is more abstract, and something that is often protected rather than enforced and restricted as a right may be.

In America, our country is built on the foundation of freedom, a right that we all share. However, sometimes our focus on individual rights can cause division between different groups of people, regardless of their political leanings. This division can distract us from the fact that we all share a common humanity. It’s important to remember that prioritizing the common good can help us come together, even when our beliefs and values differ.

I recently had a knee replacement which has helped me appreciate the many freedoms in my personal world that I often take for granted: walking, driving, showering and being able to access what I need with a sense of independence. There are some rights around my medical procedure, such as patient confidentiality, the right to refuse treatment and the right to informed consent. I often quickly sign the papers in a medical office about my rights with little consideration. I am quite aware of so many freedoms as a result of this procedure that I surely take for granted.

I find myself framing freedoms in two ways: “freedom to” and “freedom from.”

The Bill of Rights outlines our fundamental freedoms, which include freedom of speech, the right to bear arms and the right to assemble. Additionally, it establishes the right to due process, trial by jury of our peers, and public trial, effectively outlining our legal justice system.

Many define freedom as the ability to avoid doing things they do not want to do. The concept of “freedom from” is commonly associated with the roles and missions of public health systems and non-profit organizations. They promote freedom by addressing the social, economic and environmental factors influencing health outcomes. However, this approach can sometimes be viewed as paternalistic and infringe on the freedoms of others. The Bill of Rights also addresses “freedoms from,” such as protection from unreasonable search and seizure, not being required to quarter soldiers during wartime, and being protected from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

There is no shortage of organizations that garner huge fiscal support to ensure our rights are protected; rights to unionize, fair pay or to make decisions about our bodies. Different rights come to us at different times in our lives based on age, education, nationality and occupation.

In recent years, it has become clear that certain groups of people have not had equal access to certain freedoms. This is most clearly seen among African Americans, women and the most vulnerable and underrepresented populations throughout history. There have been struggles to ensure that everyone has the same rights, including the right to vote. Unfortunately, America has a history of denying civil rights and equal protection under the law, perpetuating an unequal society where individuals are discriminated against based on factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.

Often our most vulnerable citizens are denied basic rights. Many think of rights as being finite. A saying went viral a few years back “Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It’s not pie.” Pie, I understand, and as I understand the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, it grants citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. Please know that history is the topic I spend most of my time wishing I had paid more attention to. Some podcasts are helping me to catch up on that lofty ambition.

Many of us are unaware of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights passed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. I was lifted, inspired and had a personal possibility reset in the fundamental value of humanity every time I read this document or peruse the illustrated version. The preamble states the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

The 30 articles of the declaration provide guidelines for our rights, such as acknowledging that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” The articles cover education, participation in cultural life and community, freedom to move, have a nationality, seek asylum, marry, own property, believe freely in your chosen religion and the right to hold and express opinions. The right to be fully human.

The annual Freedom in the World global report for 2022 included 195 countries and 15 territories that measure the declaration’s standards. Here are a few key findings:

• Global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year.

• The struggle for democracy may be approaching a turning point.

• Infringement on freedom of expression has long been a key driver of global democratic decline.

• Over 17 years, the number of countries that scored 0 out of 4 for media freedom has gone from 14 to 133. And media freedom is under pressure in 157 nations.

Freedom defines America and has been held as our most important political and often personal value. Limits come from our social, physical and political environments and must be balanced with respect for the rights of others. This brings us back to humanity for a just and equitable society. When we realize that we are not separate from one another, the possibility of freedom can be found. When we notice all that we have in common far outweighs what separates us, we can begin to move forward and bask in even more freedoms. I spend far too much time marveling at how simple that concept is and how difficult it proves to be for most as a daily practice.

A lot of my work now is about fostering a culture of mattering. Of belonging. Weaving communities and systems. The fundamental principles are that we each need to be seen, heard and loved. As we reflect on the freedoms we have as a nation, we can extend our attention to those who may have different views from our own. This simple act of noticing and listening can pave the way for love and mutual understanding.