Courtesy of America

Learning about world history as I progressed through school, I’d hear stories about how civilians were forced to abide by the specific religion set in a country by the ruling monarch. Coming into the United States, immigrants have found relief from those rules. In America, I have the freedom to do what I prefer. I have the freedom to say anything I please. I have the freedom to publish, assemble, and petition at any given time.

Growing up with both an Italian grandmother and a Hispanic grandfather, I found that the freedom shown in America is a definite promise. I was always told, “Be glad you live in America.” Now, I am finally seeing the truth behind those words. Living in Spain with a Jewish religion was not a very good impression as my ancestors were thrown out for not living the lifestyle of the traditional Spanish catholic. Later in their years, they decided to move after being exiled from Spain to Mexico. They continued to move up in the world to the United States in order to pursue their happiness in having the freedom to do things their way.

In other countries and cultures, freedom is not an option. Freedom is not thought of as attainable. In some places, citizens do not have a choice of what religion they desire to be. Certain practices are commanded. The other governments do not protect the right of which we posses, but they do not. The consequence of their action to practice a different religion is the death penalty.

Many of people believe they know what exactly America stands for. And misinterpretation of the meaning of the word ‘freedom’ is fairly common, also. But, freedom does not mean empowerment; it is not entitlement, nor is it a list of rights. Freedom is self-determination. The United States shapes the possibilities of an individual; it is not a right, it is a privilege. Freedom is what differentiates America apart from the areas of the world that do not have as much liberty as we do.

At some point in time in our life, we all take advantage of having as much freedom as we do. I tend not to think of the freedom that I have, but of the freedom that I do not have. As I start to review over what America stands for, I begin to see what it truly does mean in the eyes of the average American, freedom.