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Saturday, October 13, 2007
“What is Freedom?”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alex Robson
Alex Robson, Monica Lindsey and Brad Fleming, of the Freedom Project
He’s watched politicians on TV, screaming at, to and over each other to make a point.
“Like mortal enemies,” said Alex Robson, 17, of Lawrenceville. “Like they really wanted two different things.”
The more Robson thought about it, though, the more he came to realize: The screaming heads in the shouting matches might harbor different opinions, but they share a desire to do right by America. Everybody - regardless of political party, social leanings, race and income - probably would agree on what’s good about America, he thought, and that’s its freedom.
Thus, the Freedom Project was born.
For the past two years, Robson, with the help of two friends at Georgia College and State University, has contacted folk of varying persuasions and asked them to define freedom, one of our country’s most fundamental concepts. Kenneth Starr, the lawyer assigned to investigate the Clinton-Lewinsky and Whitewater affairs, was the first respondent.
“Freedom represents and embodies the realization of human dignity in community,” Starr said in a handwritten response.
“His response made me wonder what Bill Clinton had to say,” said Robson, a 2007 grad of Mill Creek High. “Turns out they are very close, that those two men thought similarly.”
So far, the Freedom Project has received about 200 responses from politicos, journalists (Dave Barry), movie stars (Michael Caine) and musicians (Bill Withers). Quite a collection. View them all at www.definefreedom.com.
This project isn’t geared just toward the rich, famous and powerful, though. “Everyday” citizens can participate too. Send a 3x5 card with a hand-written definition and signature to The Freedom Project, 1380 Buford Dr., Suite 160-199, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043.
Robson, a freshman English major, decides on the people who will be contacted by letter and asked to participate. Monica Lindsey edits the requests. And Brad Fleming writes the bio that accompanies definitions posted online. The return address for the self-addressed, stamped envelopes used to be Robson’s home in Lawrenceville.
“[Alex] started writing to people who are incarcerated, and he thought it wasn’t a good idea to give them the [home] address,” said Tracy, his mom. “It’s amazing how this has taken off.”
Last week, I received my letter in the office. It included an index card and this question: “Could you please write what freedom means to you in one or two sentences and sign it?” I’m still thinking about my response.
Robson wants to expand the project to local high schools. Seniors would be asked to fill out a freedom card. The one determined to have the best response would win a scholarship. Details are being worked out.
As for all those responses, well, Robson wants to give them to his grandkids some day. He says he doubts he’ll ever run for office - “I’m not really big on the yelling and that kind of thing” - but he definitely wants to be involved with political activism.
He already is.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
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