Right now many of us take for granted the freedom we have. Freedom to vote or not to vote. To rent a home or to buy. To get married or not to get married. To have children or not to have children. To attend a private school or a public school. To drive a car or take the bus. Most of us can walk out of our homes to a job we love or maybe dislike. We have freedom of choice even down to the toothpaste selection at our local store. But many in our world do not.

Today, as we celebrate the 4th of July; America’s day of independence from a tyrannical government almost 250 years ago, may we remember who we are.

A nation of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and prosperity. A nation that has come to the rescue of other nations and protected ours with vigor. May we also open our eyes that our country became prosperous and fruitful on the backs of black men and women stripped of their freedom?

We own land that was once occupied by people who some could argue took care of it better than we have. We can’t turn back time but maybe we can take note and offer empathy, grace, kindness, and equality to those this country has wronged.

If you are a bible reader, like me, the Gospels talk a lot about freedom from slavery, and setting the captives free. We can argue that God has the power to do such things but I strongly believe that God expects humans to be the ones who set the captives free as well. Especially, prosperous and free humans such as the majority of Americans.

I believe it is important for those who fall into this category to look outside themselves and see the need for freedom in our country and the greater world. For us who are privileged to stop whining about who is doing what to whom, but to take action. How do we do this? Here are a few ideas I have found helpful in my life.

Give
Volunteer
Read
Speak Up
Befriend
Vote

Give
Give to organizations that fight injustices such as human trafficking, gun violence, homelessness, food insecurity, and genocide, Just to name a few.

Volunteer

Volunteer at local food banks, shelters, and programs that support children’s literacy, pregnancy care and family planning, convalescent homes, and many more that my mind can’t recall quickly right now.

Read

Read authors that don’t look like you, talk like you, or even live like you. Read authors of color and from walks of life that you have never found yourself in. This is one of the best ways to have empathy for the injustices of the world when we can proverbially walk in someone’s shoes by seeing their point of view.

Speak Up

Speak up for those who are being treated wrongly in your neighborhood, your country, and the world.

Befriend

Befriend those that you do not understand. This is one of the hardest ones because it’s uncomfortable. I live in a community with a large population of Chaldean and Arabic families. Sometimes their way of life frustrates me but over the years I have found myself empathizing with these beautiful people who have had to leave their homes and live somewhere foreign. We’ve exchanged food and life tips, and I’ve seen their children go from scared little toddlers to lovely humans contributing to their community.

Vote

If you are a citizen of this country, it is one of the only ways your voice can be heard. If you have become a pessimist and think voting is a waste of time. Do not do it for the outcome, do it to act on the freedom you have that may one day be taken away. There is no guarantee we will stay a free world forever and the only way we ensure that freedom is to exercise it.

These are not perfect or easy solutions but if each of us consistently seeks to do at least one consistently, the world could be a better place, one step at a time. As we let off fireworks and gather with loved ones may we ponder these things. Today, it may be hard to celebrate this country we live in, she’s been a little off her game lately. All in all, may we recognize what she has to offer, be grateful for where we live, and spread freedom to others.  

Happy Birthday, America!

This is dedicated to my adult children: May you see a world that has the potential for healing and freedom for centuries to come.