What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Freedom’?

What is freedom? What does it mean? What does it entail?  Merriam-Webster defines freedom as “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action”.  Do we gain freedom by denying the freedoms of others?  I don’t believe so, but if “freedom” becomes an opinion more than an American ideal, we see the word freedom being utilized by groups, and individuals, who believe true “freedom” is only achieved by removing freedoms rather than giving freedoms.

Is it “freedom” to remove the “freedom of choice” for women’s bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom?

Is it “freedom” to ban books or constrain what a teacher teaches in classrooms?

Is it “freedom” to deny LGBT rights in sports participation,  marriage equality,  housing or medical care?

Is it “freedom” to suppress voting rights?

Are we more free when the rights of others are taken away or diminished?  No, we are not.

We live in the “land of the free”. We need to be brave and protect our freedoms. Democracy demands it.