What does “freedom” mean for Americans today?
At our nation’s founding, it meant liberty from foreign political and economic control. The privileged men of that time sought to chart their own courses in life, industry and leadership. Much of the populace sat on the sidelines of liberty then – and for years to come.
Decades and more would pass before such freedoms would extend and offer measurable benefits to many Americans. Universal suffrage was one such extension. The Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Affordable Care Act were others. Now, although a diversity of men, women and children benefit, liberty remains a work in progress.
This “work” today revolves around freedoms of self-care and expression. Some wonder if it is ever acceptable for a pregnant woman to end her pregnancy? Those who say “no” have created legal barriers to abortion for millions of American women. Their liberty is thereby diminished.
Others wonder if it is ever acceptable for gender expression to run counter a person’s sex at birth? Those who say “no” have created legal barriers to self-care (e.g., gender-affirming medical care) and self-expression (e.g., public performance) for millions of LGBTQ+ Americans.
Personal freedom is relative virtue. My liberty of self-care and expression exist only to the extent that others enjoy the same or similar. Restrictions like those above are anti-freedom, anti-liberty acts. They harm us all.
Tom Meuser
Portland
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