Demonstration of Freedom

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Throughout time in America, freedom has always been a main point of interest to everyone who calls it home. William Faulkner once stated, “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” To many this quote may mean nothing, but to the writer it is more than just words. Freedom is treating every single person equal and with dignity. Freedom is sharing the same rights and privileges with fellow citizens no matter their race, gender, or any other discrimination. Freedom is not just a word. Freedom is an action.
Two very different yet similar speeches present the idea of freedom in extremely clear and powerful ways. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream” is well known throughout this country. But how many people take the time to ponder what it really means? Dr. King Jr. grew up in time of racial discrimination against African Americans. He witnessed great injustices such as inequality. He spoke, marched, and wrote about how wrong and unfair segregation was. In his speech “I Have a Dream”, he speaks of the future. He speaks of men, women, and children of different ethnicities coming together as one race. Mankind. He speaks of every individual having the same rights and opportunities in America. Dr. King capitalizes on the never ending concept of freedom.
Another man’s speech expresses the freedoms Americans receive to those who are not as fortunate. President Ronald Reagan’s speech “Address to Students at Moscow State University” talks about the opportunities the people in this country have. President Reagan opened the eyes of those who most likely had never heard of such a thing as personal freedom. Being president, Ronald Reagan was able to see firsthand how different h...

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...peatedly speaks of dreams he has that he hopes will eventually come true. He said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal’ (par. 13).” Because Martin Luther King Jr. questioned the way he and African Americans were being treated and took a stand things were changed in this country for the better. President Reagan once stated, “Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things (par. 9).” This statement holds very true especially in this day and age. Every race is granted the same rights, women are treated equally as men, same sex relationships are now socially acceptable, and so much more. The best way to explain one’s freedom is by taking a stand against what is wrong and fighting for what is right.

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