I live in the United States. I've heard about freedom my whole life. Ironically, I've heard a lot of different definitions of the term. Here's some thoughts.
I've lived in the USA my entire life, and I'm a traveler. I've been to the Statue of Liberty, the Old North Church, Gettysburg, Independence Hall, and so many more places that symbolize freedom in my country. I've spent plenty of time in Washington DC and the area. I've seen a lot and I appreciate my freedoms.
Lately, freedom has become quite the topic and everything from a rally to a point of contention. Sometimes I wonder if any of us really know what it means to be free anymore. I've taken to watching some YouTubers from other countries to get a fresh perspective on my own, and I feel like I've learned a lot; both good and not so good.
I know that in a polarized society, I feel more uncertain than I used to. I know I love my country, but I don't necessarily like what I hear and see. I wonder if I'm alone in that. I'm a researcher, and I love to learn. That can be both good and bad as well. I see and hear the tone of news and wonder what happened to the objectivity that was rigorously trained into me as a young journalism student. I wonder why there are so many conflicts, wars, crises and other things around the world that we don't talk about.
Are we free? What symbolizes freedom? Is it the 9/11 memorial site? In some ways; yes. It reminds me of a time when; albeit horrible; it united us as a people. Is it the Arizona Memorial? Same thing; different generation. There are a lot of symbols of freedom in a country along with polarized politics where we're fighting amongst ourselves almost all the time.
I think that with the holidays upon us, maybe we should consider what means freedom to us. Is there a place in the United States that says freedom to you?
My spot is an unlikely one in Washington, D. C. The Library of Congress. Historically, before Amazon Publishing, every published book in the country had at least one copy in that library. Did you find it offensive? It's there. Did it sound like jibberish? It's there. Does it mean something personal to you? It's there. If it was published, it was there. If you wanted to look something up, and you couldn't find it anywhere else; it was there. That's the first amendment at work.
https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/library-of-congress
Now, let's look at some other freedom sites.
Have you ever heard of the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic? I like this one. I've been to Prague. I've been to many monuments and museums that celebrate freedom. This one has always been special to me.
Czechoslovakia was communist back in 1980 when John Lennon was tragically killed. Someone, an artist in Prague, saw a connection between his death and the thwarted freedoms that had been taken away by the USSR. What started as an unknown painting, turned into a place where people could protest in a truly unique way. The wall stands today as a monument to the will of the Czechs that finally led to them winning their freedom along with others when the Soviet Union Fell.
Statues, monuments, museums are great, but sometimes it's the will of the people that leads to freedom, and the will of those people who continue to honor this perpetual monument.
https://prague.eu/en/objevujte/john-lennon-wall-zed-johna-lennona/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lennon-wall
There's a lot of history in France, and a lot of history in Paris. France is one of the staunchest free societies I've ever seen. They still protest against policies and rally in the streets when necessary. But, while you're seeing the history, the romance, the art, and the majesty; sometimes it's what's missing that really says it all.
The French Revolution. The Bastille, a notorious prison, made it's appearance as a sign to the people. We've all heard of the storming of the Bastille. The French celebration of freedom is Bastille Day. It's very important to them.
There's a monument where the prison once stood. It was destroyed during the revolution, but the French never wanted to forget. Forgetting is letting yourself open for a repeat. Never forget. So, the July Column topped by the Genie de la Liberte is a constant reminder of how important freedom is.
https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transport/place-de-la-bastille-p1985
https://hotel-bedford.com/2/explore-bastille-paris/
https://frenchmoments.eu/place-de-la-bastille-paris/
https://www.parisinsidersguide.com/bastille-paris-france.html
https://www.visitparisregion.com/en
Germany has one of the rockiest pasts on Earth, and following the WWII disaster, came Communist occupation and eventually the Wall. This lead to 28 years of misery and a historic and epic city divided into pieces. What was once a sign of no freedom at all, has become one of the most amazing monuments to freedom in the world.
You might notice me sitting on top of it. When the wall opened in 1989, it really spoke to me. I was at the height of my college educational frenzy, and it was the first place I visited when I left the country for my first international trip. Parts of the Wall can be found in various locations around the world. I've seen a few when traveling.
This was something horrid turned hopeful, and if it's not a monument to freedom; I don't know what is.
https://berlin-freedom-week.com/en
https://www.berlin.de/en/events/9796393-2842498-berlin-freedom-week.en.html
https://glasstire.com/2022/09/09/in-and-around-berlin-freedom-identity-and-place/
https://www.visitberlin.de/en/berlin-wall
https://www.berlin.de/en/tourism/
The Great Wall of China is one of those locations. It's reportedly visible from space. This marvel is almost 3,000 years old and in its entirety it is around 13,000 miles long. It's so fascinating that it falls on most people's bucket lists.
In the modern era, most Americans don't really think of freedom when they think of China. And why with all the monuments, museums, palaces, forbidden cities, and famous squares would the wall be a symbol of freedom? Isn't it mainly a tourist attraction these days?
Around 200 BC, when the wall was built, it was to fortify and protect the Chinese people from outsiders. Don't forget, Attila the Hun was in the area at one point ahead of the wall, and after the wall was built, Genghis Khan was around. There were many invaders; and in ancient times, the Chinese were united and wanted to govern themselves. An impenetrable wall went a long way to keep from being conquered.
Historically, this wall stands as a testament to time and unity. Because of its longevity and the very reasons for its construction; it is a symbol of freedom.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/438/
https://medium.com/@mysteriousfence/the-great-wall-of-china-symbol-of-imperial-power-9fe17ce66142
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-wall-china/
https://www.chinahighlights.com/greatwall/great-wall-importance.htm
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
So, when you turn on the news, and wonder what freedom means these days; think about it carefully. It's meant a lot of different things to millions of different peoples over the centuries. I advise taking a look at other perspectives; and instead of fighting against them; learn something from them. I'm not saying that you should change how you feel about anything, but learning is always a means of opening minds and making us more tolerant of one another. At the holidays, I like to reflect on my views and opinions and learn something that broadens my mind about the rest of the world.
This is what I'm pondering. If you'd like to see what I'm doing; check out my Adventures for Anyone YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025/
Always keep learning. Always keep questioning. Always keep adventuring and enjoy!
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