There have been recent arguments over freedom and what amounts to being restrictive when we think about our rights. When people talk about freedom, the first thing that comes to mind is uncontrollable restriction. Some view this in different ways. Some people feel that restrictions come in boxes with the government wrapped around them. Others might view it as a box wrapped in relationships.

We have been dealing with the fear of giving up freedom for many years now. It has created a group of people that no longer want to get married or be in monogamous relationships. Ask any single person why they want to be single, and the chances will be because they like having their freedom.

As Americans, we have come to worship the word more so today than any other day in history. We have used the word so often today that I fear some of us no longer understand the meaning. It’s sad when you see people who have so much, continue to want more more more. The lack of empathy has helped to spread COVID-19 to millions of people.

I look at the young adults of today, and it scares me. Take social media, for example, people have stopped going out to meet people the old fashion way. They use the apps to search for dates like they would use a catalog to search for clothing. It gives them freedom to date as many people as they want, but it also helps to spread STD’s.

Whenever we focus solely on our liberties, something negative happens in return. We were too focused on not wearing a mask with COVID 419,000 people died. We were too focused on having a good time, people stopped getting married, we were too focused on our political views, our Capitol was stormed.

We were not held captive inside our homes; we still had access to the outside world. We did not have an iron mask nailed to our faces or marriages forced on us, yet we heard cries for freedom. Unless you are a victim of the human slave trade, captive in an abusive relationship, or live in some countries that truly do take away your freedoms, is it okay to cry about freedom?

Perhaps, freedom looks different to me because my ancestors were in chains and sold at markets. They were forced to work sun up to sun down with all kinds of physical, sexual, and mental abuse. Perhaps, it looks different because of my time spent with women to help rebuild their lives after they were held captive for months by abusive boyfriends. What is freedom?