I know you will not believe this but I am somewhat opinionated! Again, I know the tree-hugging, tye-dye-wearing, patchouli-loving gal! But yes I am opinionated and it is getting louder the older I get. This week I had the pleasure of attending a banquet to honor one of my students for winning an essay contest about freedom. Her essay won first place from Jackson County out of 166 entries. I was so full of joy and proud to be her teacher. As I have read and reread her essay I have a better understanding of why I am so opinionated. Just a short 101 years ago as a woman, I could not have voiced my opinion by voting. A very short 48 years ago I could not have a credit card in my name without my dad’s or husband’s permission and co-signing for me. I am thankful for those women who marched and demanded women have those freedoms.
Google IT!
Google gave this definition for freedom, “the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” When you google something the world wide web always gives you “others want to know.” I almost always click on those want knows and an hour later I am in a rabbit hole. Tonight one of them was “what are the freedoms in the Constitution.” And this is what the answer was……..speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. Together, these five guaranteed freedoms make the people of the United States of America the freest in the world. And wouldn’t you know it, those are some of my loudest opinions?
Folks and friends we are at yet again a crucial moment in history. No matter your opinion or lack thereof all of these freedoms are in jeopardy. We have got to step up and get louder for all people! Even if we disagree with how they live their life, with whom they love, who they worship or don’t, and for goodness sake, how they choose to dress! Sooner or later we will all be affected by the loss of those freedoms. Maybe not to your person or your body, but someone you love will be affected. This is why I am so loud and opinionated I have a lot of people I love to the marrow of my bones and I do not want to see them hurt, hated, or god forbid killed because of one of the freedoms that we are all guaranteed in 1787. I am going to end with a small bit of my student’s essay. Remember back to when you yourself were 11 years old without a care in the world and see freedom through those eyes.
“To me, freedom means that I can be proud of my own style, do what I want to do, and choose what I believe in. I can grow up to be exactly what I want to be, and I can talk loud and proud about what I support simply because I am free.”-sixth-grade student. That is right, dear human you can be loud and proud and speak your truth!
Peace to you today and always….
Just Smile and Be Kind and Other Stuff 