Freedom is not free

Freedom requires vigilance and active engagement.  It is rarely taken in one sweeping moment but instead chipped away incrementally, often unnoticed until the loss is deeply felt. By the time people realize what’s happening, reclaiming it is far more difficult than protecting it from the start.

The active engagement part goes hand in hand with vigilance. Freedom is not inherently available to people in our world of nations; it is a value that must be nourished, appreciated, and acted upon—through the free exchange of opinions, perspectives, and respect for fellow citizens. In the U.S., we chose a democratic republic system closest to that ideal.

With this fragile construct, a lot has changed in our country over mere days. As a naturalized citizen who intentionally chose this citizenship, I am not only troubled by what I see but also shocked. I was perplexed by the initial public paralysis caused by the actions of the first few days. Fortunately, the sentiment appears to be changing, but we must realize that it will take a prolonged effort to keep the liberties we have come to cherish.

While this article focuses on the political environment, it is not written in favor of political parties or their candidates. The nature of our conversation needs to change.  We have quickly entered a new phase of national development, where our future will be determined by ideals (not ideologies), ideas, and our ability as a people to find common ground.

Let's take a moment to consider the question of what freedom truly is. I’ve always believed that one specific statement hits the proverbial nail on the head. Even though the person who spoke these words was a Marxist (a philosophy I don’t subscribe to), she was also a passionate advocate for democracy. Most importantly, she faced persecution and was ultimately murdered for her beliefs, which makes her statement even more powerful.

"Freedom only for the supporters of the government, only for the members of one party – however numerous they may be – is no freedom at all. Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently. Not because of any fanatical concept of 'justice' but because all that is instructive, wholesome and purifying in political freedom depends on this essential characteristic, and its effectiveness vanishes when 'freedom' becomes a special privilege."

Those words are attributed to Rosa Luxemburg, who was murdered in August 1919 by right-wing militants.

With that in mind, imagine for a moment that you are observing the current developments in the United States from afar. What would you make of it?

Here is some of what happened in the early days of our nation’s new administration:

·      A new entity was created that is ramming through government departments unchecked, deliberately choosing to destabilize institutions under the mantel of streamlining operations, cutting waste, and improving efficiency.

·      Current policies emphasize militarization over diplomacy at the border.

·      Executive orders were issued in an attempt to override powers granted by the Constitution to Congress.

·      Our geographical next-door neighbors were threatened economically in a move resembling a kick in the face without first engaging in diplomatic exchange.

·      A frantic search is underway, supposedly to find, detain, and deport people who have entered our country illegally and committed crimes. In reality, anyone caught in the dragnet is labeled and whisked away, while detailed information and data about these round-ups are hard to come by.

·      Our divided and often polarized information landscape is deliberately inundated with both information and disinformation regarding a tidal wave of imminent government actions and potential actions. This results in a bewildering information universe where it becomes exceedingly challenging for individuals to discern what is being done, what is real, and what is not.

·      Criminal justice and law enforcement agencies under the federal government's purview are "cleaned" of dissenters.

·      Career civil servants with decades of experience are purged from their positions to bring the different services "to heel." This resembles a form of synchronization to ensure the unquestioned implementation of administrative orders.

·      Agencies created and funded by Congress are closed, or the administration, not Congress, openly discusses and suggests their closure.

·      Many executive orders are launched with great fanfare, only to be rolled back or diluted within 24 hours. They appear to serve as test balloons to assess how far conventional boundaries can be stretched.

These are just a few examples, but expect more to come. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking we were unaware of what was happening or that we couldn't have foreseen it. Now more than ever, we must separate these actions from their partisan narratives and see them for what they are.

As a strategic communicator, I’ve seen firsthand how messaging can shape public perception, for better or worse. When information is controlled or distorted, it affects our ability to make informed decisions, decisions that ultimately impact our freedoms.

So, what do we, the ordinary, non-billionaire citizens, do now? Throughout history, peaceful civic action has been a force for change. We are responsible for engaging in dialogue and defending our fundamental freedoms and the institutions that have helped secure them.

One of the greatest challenges during crises is responding to the event and managing the influx of information. As a communicator, I understand that transparency and clarity are vital, not just for governments but for any organization aiming to uphold public trust. Whether in government, business, or our daily interactions, we must prioritize truth over noise. That means verifying sources before sharing, questioning one-sided narratives, and ensuring we engage in dialogue rather than reacting to soundbites.

I urge my fellow Americans who believe in freedom as the right of those who think differently, in the vision of living in a world where we support our friends and allies, engage in dialogue with those who hold opposing views, and represent a nation that champions the value of liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all, to speak up and speak (not argue) with one another. This moment asks for our capacity to join under the umbrella of common sense and find a way to defend our nation from state capture.

If you believe in freedom, not just as an idea but as a practice, let’s have a real conversation—not about slogans or parties but about the principles that hold our society together. Let us discuss how we can meaningfully and peacefully uphold our core values of liberty and justice for all.