This I Believe

I believe in the power of choice. I believe that individuality must be not only be embraced by all of humanity, but respected as a fundamental necessity. People, all people, regardless of race, creed, sexuality, religion, or any other doctrine, must be entitled by their fellow man to pursue their own desires through their ability to chose the manner in which they may conduct themselves, the actions they chose to pursue, and the doctrine they so chose to believe.

Though I have never been restricted in my ability to chose more than any other individual fortunate enough to reside in this nation, I feel that not merely in our own nation, but all around the world, individuals are restricted to act only in a manner that appeals to cultural taboo that hinders not only individuality, but progress as a whole. Though tradition will always remain evident in our own civilization and that of others, we must strive to allow individuals to flourish and indulge in their own personality by means of respecting their own choices. For was it not odd at the time when nations began to strive for increased diplomacy instead of considering war as a first option, or, for that matter, when any change to society and traditional custom was introduced at all. Of course it was strange. It was new, unprecedented, and different. But one must also recall that such changes, or rather, such advances remain the result of a cognizant choice to bring about such a change.

It is for this reason that one must respect the decision of all and every individual to bring about change by means of respecting the individuals power of choice. For without the power to freely chose, from what route might one every hope to break the status quo and further the ingenuity of humanity itself.