freedom

America is called land of the free, but are we really allowed to be as free as we please? I know that Americans as a whole are some of the most privileged individuals in the world, yet it seems as if my everyday life is trying to be dictated by regional norms and what is socially acceptable.

I'll start with politics. Most people who live in the United States fall pretty close to the middle of the spectrum with a few extreme ideas sprinkled in. This is acceptable in the public's eye, but a few too many radical thoughts are frowned upon. Also, depending on the area, certain political viewpoints won't be accepted. For example, it will be harder for someone who is very liberal to be vocal about their opinions in a red state. Political radicals who identify themselves with either the far left or far right won't be accepted as normal in everyday American life. They may simply feel unwelcome or face verbal opposition; but if their ideas are those that align themselves with Communism, Socialism, or Fascism, the backlash will be greater. These terms have such a negative reputation and connotation in common language to begin with. Since humans don't like people interfering with the status quo, these people are often purged to keep things normal. How ridiculous of a nation are we that don't allow people the very freedom that we promise for them to hold their own beliefs? Are we afraid of the radicals overtaking the nation? If the true majority is more centrist than radical, then our country will stay centrist. That's the power of democracy. So why do we undermine those who have a different opinion than us in the political realm?

This occurs not only in politics, but also with religion. America is predominately Christian with about 80% of its citizens identifying with that religion. With this obviously being the norm of the country, a person who observes a different religion or no religion is looked down up. Christians in America are pompous individuals who must snuff out anyone who thinks differently than them. Islam is seen as the general enemy of the United States; certain fundamentalists have declared a war against Atheists and Agnostics. But why does this nation feel the need to silence any difference? Perhaps they don't want anyone who strays away from the general opinion that may cause them to question their own faith. But doesn't it state in the first Amendment of the Constitution that there will be no established religion in this nation? As of right now, there is no such thing. So then why do we see the United States leaning more towards the idea of one predominant religion?

Many issues are this way in the self-proclaimed "greatest nation on Earth," but the two previously mentioned are the most severe. I see a false freedom that protects those individuals who identify with the socially acceptable norms of the nation but no one else. Why is this? Are we afraid of upsetting what is seen as normal? It sure seems like it. Radicals and non-believers are citizens also, but they see less freedom than centrists and believers. As a Communist Atheist, I find it very hard to enjoy my life because of the inalienable right to freedom that is being denied to me and slowly fading away.

Perhaps we need to shift perception away from the way we are treated, and look at the minorities. How are we treating them? Citizens who don't fit in to the cookie cutter image of the normal American are being oppressed beyond what anyone is willing to admit. We, as a nation, need to observe true freedom to individual thought instead of telling people who they are supposed to be.

Currently listening to Panic! at the Disco and Incubus.