Good morning. You’re reading a special Independence Day edition of the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get the newsletter delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
What freedom means to me
Today commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776. It proclaimed the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain. In other words, Happy 249th Birthday, America.
Wong Yu Liang/Getty Images
So much has changed since the Founding Fathers signed the document. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal; however, when the document was first enacted, Black people were enslaved, women weren’t allowed to vote, and Native Americans were seen as less than their white counterparts.
Slavery and segregation have ended, and women now have a voice at the table as democracy has evolved. Federal and state leaders have worked to honor Native American history. In 2024, there were more Native Americans on the ballots than ever before. And America is not done.
As a Black woman, I am so grateful for how far our country has come and very interested in where it will go in the future. Often, when I think of the progress of my family, the Black community and many other communities that were not given equal opportunities throughout U.S. history, I am reminded of a quote: “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Brianne James said in a 2018 op-ed.
This quote brings tears to my eyes. I think of all the people who were not free before me, but wanted to be on this land. I think of all the people who have fought for the privileges I have been afforded. I recognize that struggle, which is why I will never take my freedom for granted.
Freedom, to me, means having a voice and being able to use it. It also means being able to practice different religions or have different political beliefs without repercussions. Freedom to me means being able to explore my dreams and live them out. And when we don’t see the change we want, we have the freedom to fight for it.
America is continuing to grow, along with the people in it. Luckily, we all have the right to our own opinions of what freedom means to us. This is why, for Independence Day, the Up First newsletter wanted to hear from readers and listeners about their perspective on the freedoms and ideals in this country.
The responses highlighted that, for some people, freedom encompasses feeling safe, exercising the right to self-determination, and recognizing our responsibility to others. Paulita Peña-Urenda says that her freedom is not a privilege bestowed by those in power, but rather a right we must actively fight for every day, whether in our communities or workplaces. Similarly, Lars von Keitz emphasizes that personal freedom should be accompanied by the responsibility to advocate for the freedoms of all individuals within our communities.
Read more about the different perspectives of freedom in the U.S. or listen to their thoughts here.
