America the Bold: What It Really Means to Be Free

Every Fourth of July, we pull out the red, white, and blue. We light up the grill, the sky, and maybe our social media feeds with proud declarations of freedom. But somewhere between the parades and the fireworks, the deeper question often gets lost: “What does it actually mean to be free?”

That question feels especially important right now… when so many of us feel at odds with our neighbors, our communities, or even our own country. When opinions aren’t just loud; they’re weaponized. When it feels like we’re being pushed to choose a side for everything. And when, frankly, the “United” in United States often feels more aspirational than accurate. That’s exactly why we MUST ask the question.

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, it was more than a political statement. It was a promise. A radical one. That people—not kings, not empires—could shape their own destiny. That freedom wasn’t a gift handed down, but a right that lived in all of us. Yet, from the very beginning, that freedom wasn’t extended equally. Entire populations were excluded from the promises in those founding documents… some by race, some by gender, some by circumstance. The fight for equality didn’t end with independence. In many ways, it had only just begun. Freedom, it turns out, is both a destination and a journey. It is something we inherit and something we create. It's not perfect—but it is powerful.

Freedom isn’t just about doing what you want. It’s about understanding that what you do impacts others. Real liberty requires discipline, compassion, and a willingness to listen—even when it’s hard. In a truly free society, we protect the rights of those we disagree with. We challenge injustice, even when it’s inconvenient. We recognize that we can love our country and still expect more from it. That critique doesn’t make us unpatriotic—it makes us invested. Being free means stepping up, not stepping away.

This Holiday is Bigger Than Us

Yes, we live in tense times. It seems like everything is politicized… what we watch, what we say, where we shop, who we support. Sure, we all have strong opinions. (I have mine, and I’m not afraid to speak them when I need to) BUT somewhere in the middle of all this noise, we’ve forgotten how to be in the middle. We’ve forgotten that independence was never meant to mean isolation. On Independence Day, we should remember: This country… its beauty, its strength, its freedom is bigger than any single one of us. It only works if all of us are invested in making it better. Better doesn’t mean that everyone agrees. Better means we fight fair. We protect each other. We listen more than we shout. We vote. We show up. We choose decency even when it’s not easy.

Let This Be the Spark

So go ahead and wave your flag. Light your fireworks. Celebrate the beauty of living in a country where you can speak freely, dream wildly, love openly, and fight fiercely for what you believe in. However, take a quiet moment to think about what you're doing with that freedom. Are you using it to lift others up? Are you trying to build bridges instead of adding to the divide? Do you speak truth with grace and power? Are you willing to make sure everyone has the same shot at the American dream—not just the ones who look like you, love like you, or vote like you? Because that’s the real celebration. That’s the real challenge. That’s the real freedom. I respect everyone’s point of view. I may not agree with it, but I stand behind you for your ability to have your freedom to do so. Remember that.. we don’t ever have to agree. We grow from when we don’t. We just need to respect boundaries, have civilized debates. Remember shouting and verbal AND physical assaults benefit any one. WE ARE ALL PASSIONATE, WE ARE ALL HURTING IN OUR OWN WAY. WE ARE ALL AMERICANS

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on.”
– Ronald Reagan

Let’s make sure we’re handing over a country that’s not just free…but fair. Not just proud… but principled. Not just strong… but kind.

Let freedom ring! Loud, True, and for EVERYONE.