Hypocrisy of Freedom

One can not read the poem "Cross" by Langston Hughes and not be changed by it. Freedom is not a fight, but a prayer.

Hypocrisy of Freedom

(A thought experiment of ethical common sense)

By 

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

What is freedom

Who decides the interpretation of the word in context to societal beliefs

Are a chosen few relegated as arbiters to such a word

Does it define a select segment who can afford its so called encompassing ideology

Who do these rights inherently define

A civil society is not truly free

For laws are required to keep civility

Is faith the foundation upon which freedom should be defined

Only if it is your faith that is allowed to choose

Faith restricts freedom for ethics defines its nature

Righteousness is embodied by our higher virtues

Where do I as a man have the right to tell a woman what she must do with her body?

To strip away one's freedom is to erode my own

We live with the consequences of our own individual choice

Denying this truth is to ignore equity in these personal freedoms in which we believe

Originalist thinkers would have you believe our declaration and rights are set in stone

Immutable to the whims of changing times and societal evolution

Be wary of such thinkers who seek to coerce with failed logic

For an originalist still believes that minorities are 3 fifths a man by their standards

Freedom is afforded to the living, not the dead, or yet to live

Because choice is something you must live with and for.

That is the essence of true freedom... 

Author's Note

My muse Cate is perhaps a bit more political than I am. She says I should care more. I asked her why. She slapped me across the face before saying, "Because you're minority. Do you realize your voice is seen by some in society as minimal? " Without skipping a beat I said to her, "So is yours. " and I slapped myself because of the profound irony of my own words. She smiled and gave me a wink and kiss on the cheek. "Exactly..." was her reply. Feel free to comment, troll, or said deep prayers my way. Though I do caution I'm agnostic and don't believe in organized religion. But that doesn't mean I don't recognize the beauty of faith and its hopeful human message.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I have written often Carlos. We don't miss freedom, till she is gone.
"Freedom is afforded to the living, not the dead, or yet to live"
I did like the above lines. We must be careful. We have men in-charge who want sheep. Not wolves. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you CP for sharing your wise thoughts on this piece of social commentary in poetry. I totally agree we will miss freedom once she is gone. For to give up on one right is to eventually lose them all. Thank you kindly again.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[William Michael Reeves]

As I logged in today I saw your poem in the top writing list and your mention of Hughes's poem 'Cross'. So I read that first. Then straight to this. I found a bridge between the two. The choices we make in life regarding our heritage, and driven by our heritage, become memories and regrets at the end of life. I hope you can take some solace in knowing the originalists are a dying breed. The vast majority judge by the content of character. The originalists are just loud in their desperation to be heard.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you William, for not just reading this work, but for also taking the time to read a more powerful example of message in Langston Hughes art represented in Cross. Art truly inspires art I believe. Because the message represented often resonates in the heart of the reader. My perspective is a bit relatable with "Cross" because as I stated before in other replies that in me represents the indigenous people of the Americas as well as the European conquerors whose blood is also a part of my heritage. I share both a philosophical and moral dilemma in both pain as well as empathy with the words of Hughes. Yet, despite our origins the bonds of commonality we both find atonement within our warring selves through hope. It is our greater gift as human beings. The message though is reliant upon the heart of the artist, the poet, the writer. Through you and this incredible community we are a part of. I feel the world is in need of art more now at this point in history because of the regressive ideologies that seek to stymie our path forward to a better place. Thank you again my friend and keep on writing your art.

[William Michael Reeves]

Interesting how blood is spilled and mixed in history. I'll keep writing, and reading your verbal sculptures!

[W. Barrett Munn]

I am impressed by the musicality of these words, the rhythm. I read just yesterday about Yeats, and in his notebook he wrote first about the sounds of words he was thinking of using in a poem before he even knew what the poem was about, what James Logenbach calls poetry, the sound of language organized in lines.

In our poetry, before any message can come across the poem must be memorable, and that means a sonic experience. You have accomplished that well. Congrats.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for your comment on this piece. There are quite a few times I write without know the direction or theme of a work. And yet other times I am driven emotionally by a subject or idea as to compose and give it coherent life if possible. There are also moments I enjoy creating a piece that is ambiguous in nature as to allow the reader to find their own meaning and relation to it. But without a doubt I constantly attempt to embue emotion into my art because we by nature are moved by our feelings for things in the life we live. Words by their power tell a story that seeks to make us think and feel beyond ourselves. Poetry is the song of language. Thank you so much again.

[John the Baptist]

Interesting thoughts here, Carlos. I wonder how free a society without laws could really be. There are no laws in the jungle, but there is continual fear and conflict. Not a place where I would want to live. As to choice, it is indeed a wonderful thing to have, but it is easily abused. No one makes mass murderers commit their ghastly acts, unless they are acting on command hallucinations. Usually, they are choosing to gain some sort of revenge.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Nature, indeed, is probably a fine example of these experiments in societal practices and ideas. The law of the jungle truly represents a chaotic freedom. One devoid of any laws between creatures other than eat or be eaten. A mantra that seems to be adopted by greed practicing capitalism. Thus would be the failure of libertarianism. Because humans are more complex and diverse ethically to ever unify under such an idea. It would inherently birth a form of feudalism. All these ideas of society creation rely on the individual choice to uphold their tenants, or refuse to conform to them. As we are seeing in our own Democratic republic. We truly are the a product of a constantly evolving idea. Thank you again JB.

[Pete]

a complex matter with differing views for sure. i appreciate your thoughts on the matter. the constitution we were handed by the (much more god fearing) founding fathers was drafted in a much different world - so much has changed but has it really? liberal man keeps stretching truth. i would argue that without faith (hope) in a higher power man is doomed as evidenced by the world waxing worse each day. i could argue about abortion but will refrain from doing so for fear of backlash and igniting a firestorm. i could argue that there are certain immutable truths but man choosing not to accept them has lead to downfall. adam and eve were given one rule (truth) to follow by god and they went against it and look where we are now. do advances in technology give us the "right" to rewrite or change truth? again, a complex issue but i liked reading your very observant thoughts on such matters.

over 150 years ago thoreau wrote that, "The law will never make a man free; it is men who have got to make the law free." the question is how much freedom do we need or want? too much and anarchy reigns. my neighbor is keeping me up and infringing upon my freedom to sleep peacefully at night so i would like to kill him and on and on it goes. as you so observantly allude, perhaps to be truly free one would have to live alone in a secluded place without laws and government (society).

"Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. The law will never make a man free; it is men who have got to make the law free. America is said to be the arena on which the battle of freedom is to be fought; but surely it cannot be freedom in a merely political sense that is meant." - Thoreau

i would argue that we not free in america at all and becoming less so all the time as more people crowd into the country in search of freedom that is quickly vanishing.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32

only when man knows and accepts truth will there be real freedom but good luck with that in the materialistic u.s. with it's dollar - how humorous that they adorn our money with the phrase, "In God We Trust" ... :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I respect and admire your candor, my friend. This is what I call a civil conversation. Two different opposing ideas devoid of animosity and disingenuous rhetoric. Art has the power to begin the conversation towards healing. Faith asks us to believe in the impossible, intelligence asks us to reach for the improbable inorder to be better humans. It is in the middle ground we find commonality and community. True freedom is uncivil choas at its root. Yet, blinding faith can breed destruction of equal measure when opposed by differences of belief. We all have bias, and perspective on what is pertinent within our existence. The things that matter most to us individually. What is right to one, may be wrong to another. I feel one of the important unanswered questions is what are we willing to accept and compromise. It is in that middle ground we will find the answers as well as grace and hope to the future. Never be hesitant to voice your opinion, Pete. It defines the core of who you are as a living breathing being. We are not meant to agree on everything because we live in the diversity of thought. Much of which contains our own personal perspective which is biased. It doesn't mean it is wrong or right. There are tons of writing here that reflects the difference of opinion. Truth and honesty is a rare virtue these days. And art reflects these aspirations towards our better nature. Thank you again for sharing this comment and conversation with me. I really do appreciate hearing your perspective.

[Lisasview]

I have always been aware that freedom...freedom of ones thoughts is ever so important..
To be true to oneself.. to be honest with ones self..
For me this is what is important.
Really enjoyed your words..
Lisa, now in Spain

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Lisa for commenting on this piece. I know many may be of differing opinion, which I respect despite the contrast. But my thoughts on these views are simply from the perspective of life choices lived and made. As a minority I have gained a particular view of what defines Americanism, and how this idea has impacted my life. At an early age I remember my first day of kindergarten where my teacher, a caucasian woman, had the class recite their name and ethnicity. I had always been told by my grandmother I was American. When it came my time to speak I stood up proudly and said just that. Unfortunately, the teacher attempted to correct my belief and said that I was Mexican. I told her no I was born here, but again she said I was Mexican. This upset me and I continued standing firm in my belief until she had had enough and sent me to the principals office. My mother had to come and pick me up, as well as apologize to the teacher for what was in their eyes an unruly child. At such a young age I came to understand that no matter what the system would see me as different and in the eyes of some lesser. I grew to understand culture and ethnicity, but those do not define Patriotism. Nor Americanism. The virtues of freedom are only as strong as the threads of unity that bind us to its ideas. To lessen the voice of one member of a unified society is to see the cover of freedom unravel. We may be of diverse cultures,faiths, genders, and ideologies but in the end we are American. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this work.

[Lisasview]

Thank you so much for you response... I too come from a diverse background... I had a terrible time as a child..long story..but overcame it..
Being different is okay...
Lisa

[jacob erin-cilberto]

or maybe Kris Kristofferson had it right...

"freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"---

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Sung hauntingly by Janis Joplin. One of the great poetic lines in any song.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think the only true freedom for us is inside of us, is how we react to the shackles put on our freedom, the rules, the understanding that we are not free to do as we please...
and yet, this country certainly has more freedom than many others do, and for that, I guess we are grateful.
really thoughtful piece, Carlos.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly J for sharing your insight. I do value it very much. In life there comes a time where one must stand by their words. To speak their truth from the experience of a life lived. I could never match the eloquence or aspirations of the founding fathers in creating a living document that assails the hope of freedom and liberty. I only know how these tenants effect my life and the history I have lived. Along with those of my grandparents and their family before them. My perspective is unique as in the fact that I am born of both indigenous blood and European. The migrant dreams are in my blood as well as those of the conquerors. It is in art that I find freedom at its most liberating. Though one must be free of their own shackles of bias in order to find the catharsis of freedom. Art binds us all to these dreams and hopes. As writers we speak them, while our audience dares to dream them. My story is no greater, nor lesser than any other soul who has sought these intangible ideas. I feel we waste time thinking instead of living them. Our art has the ability to reflect the best parts of us. If we choose to open ourselves to its truth. And when we do I believe we plant hope. Thank you always for the importance of your art, as well as kind friendship.

[John Prophet]

Freedom is in the eyes of the beholders. Great
write!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you JP for your insight and thoughts on this piece. As a fellow artist and poet it means a lot to me and my work.

[Betty Hermelee]

YAY You're back!!! and with a big WOW. I love this semi-political/moral/ethical piece here... and a real analysis of what freedom and truths are, plus a million other important thoughts. I've always believed in equality ; that every person deserves dignity and respect. I also agree with you that every human has a choice in a free society; no government body (including the supreme court ) should decide on a woman's choice to have or not have a baby and to be able to abort if desired. These are basic human rights and should not be interfered with by any public body. of law. Excellent write my dear Carlos.
Best, B.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I could not have said it better myself, B. I agree with every word you said. Art for me is not only an outlet but also a conversation starter. I'm aware there will be others of opposing thought and I respect their choice. Because that is what defines these precious tenants that we hold to be true. The choice in which any other person decides to live their life is by definition an unalienable right in this democracy of freedom. It makes us all equal and for anyone to lose their right is a loss for us all in eventuality. There are many choices in my life that I regret and have not thought through at the time they were made. But I own them. They are mine and mine alone to deal with and find my own absolution for. I live by them. It doesn't make me less or better than anyone else. Everyone deserves that same right to live by. It defines equality. No man has the right to tell a woman what she can and can not do with her body. If we allow that to happen we no longer live in a free society where everyone is seen as equal. Take away one right, and the rest will slowly follow. Thank you so very much for your kind words as well as support. I value the thoughts of my peers and fellow poets, always. CLE

[Betty Hermelee]

Love your analysis! And you’re very welcome!
Best, B.