Independence Day is an integral part of American history and culture. It was on this day that the 13 states of America became unified to represent a single culture and vision for the future – to build a nation in which every citizen is free to express themselves in whichever way they choose. This ideal was not without its challenges. Challenges that, to this day, oppose the very same beliefs that inspired the conception of the Declaration of Independence, and have afforded us the privilege of knowing what it is to have freedom. In retrospect, it could be argued that the Declaration of Independence, instead of being viewed as the premise upon which the Americas have been founded, be regarded as an ideal to work towards as a united front. In this way, on the 4th of July each year, we don’t merely commemorate the day on which the Declaration of Independence was signed, but rather as a celebration of the progress we have made as we attempt to reach the ideal of true freedom.
It is true that freedom means different things to our people, but oftentimes we get so wrapped up in the general idea of freedom that we forget all of the ways in which we are already free. There are many things we are able to do today that, 235 years ago, would not have been permitted. These are the things we should be celebrating on the 4th of July. As a gentle reminder, here are some of the freedoms we can celebrate today.
Same sex marriage
The United States of America is one of the few countries who are allowed same-sex marriage. As of 2015, every American citizen is free to love who they want regardless of their sexual orientation. After many years of rebuttal from various organizations and people in high-ranking positions, this is a great feat for Americans and ought to be celebrated in spite of the many challenges opposing this freedom.
Women choosing love and a career
It is a long-overdue freedom for women to pursue a career whilst being married and having children. While some women prefer to have either love or a career, it is essentially a choice and one that deserves to be celebrated.
Freedom of speech
With the advent of social media, more and more people are finding their voices and speaking out and up against things that truly matter to them, whether it relates to politics, societal norms or just current news and trends. It is both liberating and a huge responsibility to be able to say what we want, because we acknowledge that we have a younger generation who also inhabit these platforms and may not always understand what we are trying to say and why. Nonetheless, being free to speak our minds is a freedom we can celebrate everyday.
Body positivity
We live in visually stimulated society, thus it is important that we portray an accurate image of bodies on social media. In recent years it has become important for social media users to freely showcase their true selves, flaws included, not just to liberate themselves but also the younger generation who should feel free to show or not show their bodies because of their personal choice, and not because their bodies are not considered ‘sexy’.
Career of your choice
The eradication of what was once considered ‘male-dominated’ industries is a true cause for celebration, not just because it glorifies the abilities of males as opposed to females, but because it is unfair to dictate to men, and women for that matter, what career they should choose. When we are able to express ourselves through our chosen career, we are in fact embodying true freedom because we can wake up each day and choose to do the things that make us happy.
Looking behind us is important and looking towards the future is essential but appreciating the present is where we find joy. There is more than enough time to fight for our freedoms but today, on the 4th of July, we celebrate the freedoms we already have. Happy 4th of July.
