Freedom is about liberty, equality, respectfulness and justice, anywhere in the world. Independence day seems to be a perfect opportunity to think about this principles, not only as abstract ideas, but especially as actual practices and the extent to which society put these principles into action. The main argument of this essay is that human being is free by nature. Ambition, selfishness and desire of success, are some of the reasons that can explain the oppression from some part of the human kind to another over the history. Furthermore, this is why over time, part of humanity apparently lost this status, inserting themselves in a constant search of freedom and claiming for the recognition as free individuals. But the good news is that as long as we have the ability of reasoning, we will have the opportunity to practice freedom, and no just claim for it.
Image 1: People are free by nature, since they are born
Based on this general premise, the description of Argentina´s freedom history should consider their advances and backward movements through the time: the institution of the first patriotic government in 1810, the proclamation of the independence in 1816, the creation of the first national constitution in 1853, universal, secrete and obligatory suffrage in 1912 and the incorporation of women in politics in 1949 to mention only some of the main milestones. Nevertheless, in Argentina, the conquer of civil, political and social rights were necessary but not sufficient for the recovery of our natural freedom. This is because despite this conquers and achievements, Argentinians had to support also several dictatorships, abuse of power and disrespectfulness of minorities, to mention only some actions against freedom.
Image 2: Independence does not mean freedom
I am convinced that freedom is a two-way path; it is important the recognition of people´s freedom by those who are holding the power, but it is also important the exercise of that freedom as a common practice by every single person. Otherwise, there always will exist oppressed and oppressors, there always will exist the opportunity to put into risk our freedom, just because we are expecting for a recognition instead of just being free. My home country is free and respects freedom of expression, thinking and joining. But I am always afraid of how vulnerable we are faced to a certain threat to our rights, not because the power of the oppressors, but especially for the weakness of our society in the defense of something that belongs to us: freedom.
As President Eisenhower said, “freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die”. I believe in people from my country and their ability to earn and refresh freedom every day. We should keep on working on it.
Image 3: Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions and the spirit of men
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