“The land of the free…” I don’t have to tell you where the previous statement comes from. Any person in the USA who has attended any sporting event knows that this is a line from The Star Spangled Banner. Freedom is what every person on the planet claims to strive for. Yet, many people create their own form of slavery.
Freedom is something that has different meanings to different people. All you have to do is Google the definition of freedom and see the variations that pop up. The main concept of the word is basically the ability to make your own choices, free from slavery, etc. In the USA freedom is what the citizens pride themselves on. If freedom is the goal in life, or the ultimate achievement, why do so many people create their own version of slavery?
If I am free to do and think what I want, why would I allow others to do my thinking for me? This question is one people scoff at, yet millions of people allow others to do their thinking for them. Is a person truly free if they do not think for themselves? The manipulation of minds in the USA has skyrocketed because of mental addiction to social media. Many people get their ideas on everything from society to gender identity from social media. I have talked with people in their early 20’s who think that TikTok is the best source for news and truth. Older people tend to give their thought faculties to various TV news programs. Information should be used to gain knowledge on a topic. From this point, a person uses their own mind to come up with a conclusion or decision. Many people forget the previous statement and simply allow the talking heads, or influencers, to program their mind. Is this freedom?
Many people want to be free to live and enjoy life. This is beautiful in concept, but rarely practiced. For example, how many of you know people who are always in other people’s business? These people always are looking and tending to other people’s gardens, so to speak. If I truly want to enjoy my life, why would I be consumed with another’s life? Think, people. If you truly want freedom why pick up the mental baggage and issues of someone else? This is what a great number of people do. They are always involving themselves in issues others face that have no bearing on their life. You have people barely living above the poverty line worried about what billionaires are doing in their bedrooms. You have people making themselves miserable over other people’s interactions with the law or government. Keep in mind, a high percentage of the people becoming miserable have never met the person they are feeling pain for. Is this an example of being free to live and enjoy life? Or is it slavery via nosiness?
Freedom can only come to people who want it. You can’t claim to want freedom and then go lock yourself into a cage, physically or mentally. A mental prison is the worst because in many instances you can’t see it. One way to stay free is to ask, “What does this issue/situation have to do with me?” Another great question is, “How does this information better the quality of my life?” Lastly and importantly, “Where did this train of thought come from? Is it my rationale or have I been influenced by outside sources?”
Freedom is in your grasp, people. You just have to turn and walk/think in the direction freedom lies. Sadly, you may find out that the direction to freedom is not the way the masses of people are heading.
Frank James IV © 2025
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
