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November 2009 
What does freedom mean to you?
Posted on Jun 18th, 2009
by 
Jamilah
Jamilah
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for June 18, 2009:
When I was a freshman or sophomore in college, my political science instructor addressed this question. He noted that true freedom isn't "freedom from," but "freedom to." I adopted this definition.
Freedom means that I can speak, write, worship, play, and work as I see fit, within the basic bonds of decency. (For instance, I wouldn't have the freedom to play in the nude in a city park--not that I ever would!--because that would violate the freedom of others.) Freedom cannot be taken away or eroded by legislation, though some have tried.
And, of course, as Oliver Wendell Holmes famously said, my freedom to swing my fists extends only as far as the other guy's nose!
Freedom means that I can speak, write, worship, play, and work as I see fit, within the basic bonds of decency. (For instance, I wouldn't have the freedom to play in the nude in a city park--not that I ever would!--because that would violate the freedom of others.) Freedom cannot be taken away or eroded by legislation, though some have tried.
And, of course, as Oliver Wendell Holmes famously said, my freedom to swing my fists extends only as far as the other guy's nose!
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