The Dream of Equality and Freedom

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The United States has never been a perfect nation.  For almost 250 years, we've had a dream – an ideal of equality and freedom under God.  And even though we have never really lived up to that, the dream has not only remained alive, but has inspired others around the world.  Some were people who left everything they knew and came here, hoping to build a freer life with more opportunity.  Some were nations who changed from within to create their own just and enlightened societies.


We've fallen short a lot of the time, but there has still been a light that shone out and made a lot of positive difference in the world and in people's lives.


Yet right now, our leaders are carrying out indiscriminate arrests of people who might be in our country illegally, claiming that they're targeting "violent offenders," even though most of those arrested have no criminal record at all.  Our President has gained political traction by claiming that immigrants have "bad genes" and criminal tendencies.


It's awful, but it's happening.


We're being asked to accept lies as truth.  And we're fiercely divided.  Instead of one nation attempting to come together for the good of all, we're turning on each other.  There are political, racial, and ethical divisions.  We don't even agree on what the problems are – forget agreeing on the solutions.


And then there are the churches where partisanship has become the message.  It's louder than the message of grace.


The whole mess is enough to make you feel hopeless.


stormy flag



A new birth of freedom


We've been here before.  In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln looked at a nation that was tearing itself apart and believed it was worth defending.  He said, "We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies."


That wasn't an accurate assessment of the situation.  It wasn't what was actually happening at the time.  Rather, it was Lincoln's hope, his ideal, his dream, his choice.


We have to start dreaming again.  Not about dominance or revenge, but about renewal.  About a return to our ideals:

  • where we tell the truth
  • where we act with integrity
  • where we stand for what's right, not what's most profitable
  • where we solve problems instead of making new ones
  • where we support our allies instead of provoking them
  • where we value and learn from our differences instead of fearing or hating them

And it begins with us, dear readers.  We can't wait for our leaders.  We need to choose this for ourselves, and then try to practice it with those around us, and then call for it in our capitals.

... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln, 19 November 1863




Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 3, 2025 at 9:57 AM

    Amen, sister! I live in an area where people are already afraid to stand up and say these things openly. Some of my ancestors came to what was not yet the United States to escape religious persecution back in the 1600’s. They were mostly called Protestants, though some were Catholics, too. They wanted freedoms not allowed by the kings of Europe at the time—free speech and the freedom to practice their religion according to their conscience without being thrown in jail or killed for it. The “American dream” was not really about money, but about being able to live in peace and without fear. These ancestors held our Constitution as a precious gift. We are a strong nation. We can and will get through this. Thanks, Karen, for having the courage to stand up and speak the truth and for being an inspiration to us all! We must stop listening to the powers who want to divide us. We also really need to turn off the media and look around at who our neighbors really are as individuals and treat them the way we ourselves would like to be treated—not a new concept, but one we seem to have forgotten.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJuly 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM

      Yes! The American Dream used to be about freedom of conscience and opportunity. We will get through this, but we have to be brave. And you're right that we need to treat others as we would want to be treated -- the perfect and only law to live by. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  2. GinaJuly 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM

    This is a highly politicized topic, obviously. Not sure what it has to do with minimalism. And I'm not sure that "dreaming" is the answer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJuly 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM

      Not so much about minimalism as it is my thoughts as the 4th of July approaches. You're right, "dreaming" alone won't make much difference. That's why I suggest at the end that we need to choose our behavior, practice it with those around us, and then expect it from our leaders.

      Delete
  3. TeriJuly 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM

    Thank you so very much for this column today, Karen. All of us who read you regularly can certainly take time from our decluttering and organization to honor those before us and work for a united country. Some of my ancestors also came in the mid-1600’s. Their children’s children fought in the Battle of Saratoga. Our freedom and Constitution were hard won. We cannot let the men, women, and especially veterans who built this country down. We honor all those who came seeking a better life, those who were here originally, and those who came not of their own free will. Bless you, Karen!

    ReplyDelete

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