The concept of freedom is deeply embedded in the American story and psychology. We are the ones that fled the oppression of theocracy and monarchy to shape a new existence. Indeed, this sense of autonomy and independence colors much that we do and celebrate.
Lately, though, many Americans have expressed a particularly troubling interpretation of freedom, a binary, absolutist interpretation. The choices are 1) externally mandated, dictated structure on one hand (as is the case with monarchy or other non-participatory society), or 2) absolute freedom from structure (as with the popular understanding of anarchy).
This idea of freedom is used to justify uncompromising opposition to any and all restrictive legislation. For example, many who oppose firearm regulation stand on a platform defined by a resistance to any imposed structure, and thus neglect to engage in a meaningful discussion about the particular issue.
A polarized, binary view of freedom doubly misses the mark, by skirting around either side of a third, typically superior option: to participate in designing the structures that govern our interactions. Our country was founded by people dedicated to such an enterprise, and the constitution is revered not only for its elements of liberty, but those that encourage participation. Instead of following that lead, we citizens often behave as if at war with one another, entrenched in some or another extreme position, divorced from the processes of reasonable scrutiny and collaboration.
But this is a manufactured war. The battle lines are created to marginalize meaningful change, which is always rather moderate. It is a play on the psychology of fear to maintain the dominant paradigm.
Here's to hoping that we can step off the battleground and move productively together.
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