Freedom

This morning I witnessed how we manipulate the interpretation of words. I was watching the morning news concerning a man sitting in his front lawn picketing that he disliked Muslims. When the gentleman he was picketing merely represented in looks only the profile of former terrorists. This gentleman singled out was a local political figure who was offended by this front lawn act of “freedom”. He was allowed his three minutes of “free speech” on said news channel, whereas, the protestor was not. Is this freedom in the truest sense or are we simply choosing to do selective broadcasting regardless of the dictionary’s definition of the word freedom? That is why I make the analogy that interpretation is in the eye of the beholder or interpreter.
I have often pondered what the word, “freedom,” means to the average person. To the picketer it probably meant the freedom to sit on his front lawn, but to the politician it meant the full berth of giving his opinion on national TV. When I use the term “average,” I am using the word very mildly. The average person believes that they are a part of the distinct group of individuals throughout the world that work, get married, have families (or not), enjoy the fruits of their labor (whatever end results that term encompasses), and live their life in blissful ignorance of what was, is, or could be.
Freedom is the opportunity to choose one’s role in this world. It is not merely an opportunity but a collective choice. This is based on one’s birth right, life experiences, and where we claim to reside. I strongly believe that given our world situation, the brazen colors of terror, the subliminal tactics of commercials, and the price of gas, that we are all contemplating our freedom on a daily basis. We have been maneuvered or outmaneuvered to say the least. It is no wonder that when a patriotic American sings “land of the free”, we emphatically raise our voices in unison. We have been persuaded and convinced that freedom is “our choice.”
However you interpret freedom, there is one thing we cannot ignore. Ponder, if you would, where we would be if we had no choice in our future or that of our children’s’ future. I know that after “911” and the impact it had, directly affected our emotions and interpretation and made us ponder the relevant meaning of “freedom” for most of us. Only a few days after the dust settled, did we really feel the impact of what freedom meant to an American. I also know that we will all feel the impact of freedom for generations to come. I know that it affected a lot more than my ability to feel safe, but the impact affected and left a permanent mark on my future stability and freedom during my retirement years.
Freedom means a lot of things to each of us, but you cannot argue that freedom has given me the ability to write this opinion and publish it. Remember whatever freedom means to you or your family, the word itself does not provide for our future but the actions on its interpretation do.

Attitude

I just turned on the TV and started to view your program. First, I was born in the Netherlands and immigrated here in 1956. I have personally been on the poor and minority side of our society. In my youth, I was the victim of abuse from elementary children who viewed me as different. I didn't speak English...I looked very Dutch as compared to my classmates in New York...blonde hair, hazel eyes, etc. My past made me strong...taught me to succeed...and I chose not to follow the calf path of the mind. I am the first to graduate from college, been successful in the education sector, as well as private business, and been extremely fortunate in my life beyond measure. Why? BECAUSE, there is no view more beautiful than the top of that mountain that lets you view all the valleys you have traveled through. I am frustrated when I witness your program and others like yours. That you focus on negative behavior and mindset really upsets me. I taught my students that we are the result of our upbringing but how we, as adults, continue to view information, people, stereotypes, concepts, etc. is the direct result of our own cognitive insight and perception that we allow to evolve into attitude. Yes, we have stereotypes...the black lady in the audience got really upset when she presumed she was persecuted as a race MORE than the Muslim lady. We are all the end result of our past...do we continue to dwell on that? Or, do we move forward with positive insight and an attitude that dispels persecution and creates tolerance of differences. I have reached a point in my life where I too have become intolerant of those who have chips on their shoulder from ills created centuries ago, current situations in this world, and lack of education and pure stupidity. Where are we going...down a no where path filled with the repercussions of our ignorance and lack of concern? I realize that your show points our human weaknesses…but, I believe that focusing on the negative promotes negative behavior.
All your life you are taught, hear, and view the fact that a needle is a cork….you will call it a cork…if, on the other hand your taught, hear, and view the opposite…you WILL correctly call it a cork. At 57, I have been through a series of negative situations, a spouse of 38 years who had a serious spinal cord injury, lost my oldest son, and was diagnosed with TN last year. Do I just crawl into a hole and blame the world or mankind...I think not!!!! I was given something more precious than succumbing to a negative attitude or sustaining a chip on my shoulder (wow is me)...I have faith...Faith in God, mankind, life, my family, and myself... the kind called positive. I hope our world learns this before it is too late.