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DEL.ICIO.US“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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By Francesco Sinibaldi
October 13, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
In the cold.
In the cold of a darkness I see the profile of a beautiful sun, and so, when a pleasure seems a sorrow at the end of the morning, I hear the sensitive wind recalling my faith.
Francesco Sinibaldi
By Woodie
October 14, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
What is freedom? Freedom is a bell. Let freedom ring. Ring the bell. Not really. I’m just kidding. Freedom really is about respecting other peoples right to pursue happiness. Interestingly enough, the conservatives don’t agree with this. I find it very odd they don’t. They are removing the ring from the bell.
By Michael H. Smith
October 14, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Yeah, the mean old conservatives, we’ve got to do something about “those people”. Their Liberty Bell is cracked. Who do “those people” think they are anyhow, anyway?
Life, liberty and “obtaining happiness” are the unalienable rights. Undersigned La Libérale
Freedom means as many things to as many people as there are individuals who define it.
However the right “to pursue happiness” has never meant a God given guarantee or a government protection “to obtain happiness” in anything, or the privilege of a State granted sanction under a State given license.
By Bruce Wicox
October 14, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Typical conservatives, they figure by removing the ring they can keep all the ding-dongs to themselves.
There are a great many levels of freedom, if a slave is freed but cannot vote, is he really free? If a country is invaded in the name of freedom and is worse off than ever, are they really free?
If all men are created equal, shouldn’t all men enjoy the same level of freedom?
Freedom should invoked great pride when used correctly and should inflict greater shame when abused.
The definition will range widely from the lowest paid worker to the bloated CEO, the interesting thing is, which one would feel they have more freedom?
By Michael H. Smith
October 14, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Liberals are so predictable and self-evident that the typical conservatives haven’t removed the ringing of the ding-dongs; chime-on La Libérale.
By JEAN R. GAJUS
October 15, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
To me the word Freedom encompasses all the privileges afforded me in the United States Bill of Rights — although I find myself questioning some peoples’ loose interpretation of the “Right to Bear Arms.”
By Charles
October 15, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Freedom for African Americans and me is the ability to feed, clothe, shelter, employ, and educate ourselves independent of other groups of people.
All oppressors need not worry because African Americans just don’t get it.
Charles
By Charles
October 16, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
If African Americans are able to feed, clothe, shelter, employ, and educate themselves independently of others groups, real freedom is experienced.
Should African Americans continue to allow other groups to service their basic needs, they voluntarily invite members of other groups to oppress and enslave them.
By Charles
October 16, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Marching for freedom and justice is foolish if the marchers are depending on other groups, the oppressors, to sustain their lives; food, clothing, shelter, employment, and education etc.
Marching for freedom and justice is an excellent tool if the marchers are in their own land; and are making a public demonstration against their own people or other groups.
By freedom writer
October 16, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Freedom is allowing dipshyts like Charles to continue to post.
By Charles
October 16, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Sorry freedom writer…,
The integrationist scheme is over. The masses of African Americans and white people have awakened to your machinations; thank God.
The nooses suddenly appearing around the country is symbolic of their awakening.
African Americans realize that they are nothing more than volunteer slaves.
Sorry freedom writer, the game is over. You people can no longer deceive the white and black masses with your written propaganda.
By Charles
October 16, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Vladimir Linen and Freedom Writer are one of a kind. They believe if you can’t intelligently respond to a thought or an idea, personally attack the originator of the idea.
That is so juvenile. It worked yesterday, but not today my friend.