LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE
According to U.S. Constitutional law, liberty involves “the right and the power to believe, act, and express oneself as one chooses, of being free from restriction, and having the freedom of choice. It is the condition of having the power to act and speak without restraints.” The word liberty is derived from the Latin word ‘libertas’ meaning ‘the status of a descendant,' which implies that the concept applies for all of posterity. Everyone in a free society enjoys (or ought to enjoy) liberty. This definition is normally used in context to full rights and responsibilities according to which one becomes a member of a specific group. Liberty is a condition in which an individual behaves according to his will and govern himself, by taking responsibility for actions and behaviors. Having liberty does not necessarily mean we are free to break commonly-held ethical and moral codes.
The related term independence can mean many different things. Emerson, for example, thought of it in terms of self-reliance. Sociologists understand it as awareness of—and potentially parting ways with—social norms. Psychologists grapple with the concept in terms of individual autonomy. For scientists it can conjure up images of objectivity, originality, and disciplinarity. Historians may lecture on French, American, or post-colonial Independence, but they are also aware of little "I" independence as the pursuit of human fulfillment, liberty, and happiness. Philosophers have done much to explore the negative connotations of independence, as with selfishness, rational egoism, and exclusion. It can also be expressed as security, self-advocacy, and self-governance.
Achieving Unity in a Society Founded on Independence
Anthony Lawson
Independence and freedom are, at least in theory, two of the core American values. They lie at the heart of American nationalism. The determination of our founding fathers to distinguish our government from the ones that preceded it is what sets our country apart … right? Our system is superior. It is by the people and for the people, in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Our loyalty to independence is what makes us the greatest country on earth—or so we’ve been told.
So why isn’t it working?
Independence is autonomy. Autonomy is the freedom of choice. No government can tell an American what to do, how to think, or how to feel. Sic Semper Tyrannus. We are free thinkers. We buy what we want, consume what we want, listen to what we want, read what we want, and watch what we want. Freedom of choice is the accomplished American dream.
And that’s exactly the problem.
Because if we really are free, why does injustice persist? Socioeconomic inequality plagues the us in 21st century. From healthcare and education to systemic issues of race and geographic location, the freedom to pursue happiness in “Country #1” is not the level playing field that it should be. But change takes time, right? These things don’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process to “become the change that you want to see in the world.” That is what we’re taught. But it is easier said than done, because “independent” is no longer the defining characteristic of our nation. Instead, we are divided. Division hinders progress. Division manufactures agitation. By all metrics, division is not good.
So why is there so much of it?
There is no lone answer to this question, but media is an excellent place to start. Historically speaking, media has always been the catalyst for change. From Gutenberg’s printing press, to newspapers, mass media, and the internet, change has always stemmed from masses uniting behind a common cause. As media grows, so does the knowledge of the common citizen. And the more educated that citizens become, the easier is it to realize the change that they want to see. In 2022, media is more powerful and more advanced than ever before. Society is interconnected, globalized, and educated. Yet division persists. And that is not by accident.
From the reports of Facebook whistleblowers to the over-commercialized nature of televised news, it has never been more apparent that, to large media corporations, division is profitable. Division stirs the pot. Be it clicks or views, an antagonizing piece is always guaranteed to garner engagement, and in turn, profit. Time and time again, it has been revealed that the top of the media food chain is more than willing to sacrifice journalistic integrity for monetary gain. This is fundamentally contradictory to the American way.
How can independence and true freedom of thought exist in an information landscape that is so polluted?
Media inspires progress. True autonomy cannot exist when our most powerful, change-inspiring tools manipulate us with invisible hands. The illusion of independence runs deep in American culture, and the realization of this illusion is vital, especially in a society built upon it. The story of progressive American change runs long and deep. It is a book that continues to be written. For us to work through this book together, it helps to be on the same page.
And that is what media has the power to do. Transformation won’t come overnight, but if I as a student, we as citizens, and us as a country, know where we stand, what we value, and what to be aware of on the subject of media laws, media education, and media regulation, we’re headed in the right direction.
For the sake of independence.
Music as Free Speech
William White
Music has always been a way for people to express themselves and convey a message that they may not have been able to communicate in other ways. Because of this, music falls very much under the protection of free speech that we have under the first amendment of the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution. People will primarily convey emotional meaning through there music, but there are times when they need to use their music to try and say something else and that’s what I’d like to talk about today.
All too often we are faced with some kind of injustice, whether it’s the rights of immigrants being suppressed, an entire culture being oppressed, or being forced to live under a harsh regime. All of these issues lead to people speaking out against them, and trying to bring about some kind of positive change. One way that people go about this is by writing music. In the period from 1930 to 1950 a composer by the name of Dmitri Shostakovich was writing music under the regime of Joseph Stalin in Soviet era Russia. He was tasked by government officials to write music that celebrated the ‘grand country’ that he had the pleasure of living in. Shostakovich wrote what they wanted but he had a sneaky way of going about it.
After the premiere of his opera, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, he was met with serious pushback from Stalin himself who despised the work. He was barraged with negative reviews and personal attacks in the press, and while this sounds bad, it is a much better fate than some other artists met during this time when Stalin would just have them killed if he didn’t like what they wrote. When writing his next symphony, his fifth so far, people were expecting a more optimistic, happier sounding symphony as it was written with the critiques of his most recent opera in mind, but what they were met with was a very dark, morose and powerful work.
His fifth symphony was met with much acclaim from both the general public and the government officials who attended the piece’s premiere. For Shostakovich, it was very much an expression of the dark times that he and the rest of the citizens of Russia were experiencing at the time, whereas the authorities seemed to interpret it as more what those who tried to mess with the Soviet Union would feel after they were crushed by Russian forces.
We could talk so much more about the music and subtle rebellion of Shostakovich. This is just one example of how he used his music to help convey a specific meaning that would’ve likely led to his execution if he had chosen to express that with words. There are several other instances where musicians use their music to try and highlight issues that they couldn’t otherwise express. So maybe you aren’t directly speaking when you perform a piece, but for both the performer and the composer, the ability to write and perform that music as a part of their freedom of speech is an incredibly important liberty that we have.
The State of Our Union
Jake Pinello
The conclusion of the 2020 Presidential Election was met with an outpouring of joy, support, and relief by people around the world. It was also accompanied by fraud allegations, more unprecedented behavior, and a veil of uncertainty surrounding our sacred electoral process. The United States of America is truly living the tale of two countries.
So one might wonder: What is the state of our union? Still facing dire economic conditions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an electorate divided in a way that resembles the Civil War era, and an information climate in which many do not know who they can believe, we are nowhere near where we need to be as a nation. What happens next will prove to be one of the most consequential chapters in American history, and it is We the People’s responsibility to step up to the plate and finish the job. We must put this election behind us, extend our hands out to those who supported the opposing candidate, and work together to protect what will be forever known as the greatest champion of democracy that this world has ever seen.
One of the most important issues in the 2020 Presidential Election has been the state of our economy. The global COVID-19 pandemic that we are desperately trying to defeat has ravaged through the small business community, leaving many workers unemployed and forcing numerous businesses to close up shop for good. Whether you supported President Donald Trump or Vice President Joe Biden, we must all agree that this is not an issue that we can afford to let partisanship hijack.
We need widespread economic relief and we need it soon. While stock market indexes such as the S&P 500 appear to reflect a recovering economy, it is important to recognize that indexes of this nature only reflect the biggest companies in the country. They do not reflect the success of local businesses on Main Streets all across the nation. They have been hit hardest by the economic effects of this pandemic. It is time for us to call on our elected officials and demand that they put aside their own political reputations in order to act swiftly (but cautiously) to roll out an aid package that so many desperately need.
Another major topic of discussion in the 2020 Presidential Election has been the racial tensions that we have become increasingly evident over the past year. The Black Lives Matter movement has jumped to the forefront of social debate and initiated long-overdue conversations. American Indian, Asian, Black, Latino, or White, we are all Americans. We derive our strength from coming together, not from splitting apart. It is time to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and to implement informed legislation aimed at rebuilding our societal landscape in a way that welcomes all. As seen throughout the history of this nation, we are at our best when we draw upon the diverse set of intellectual experiences that we are so lucky to have access to as Americans. While social progress is an admittedly long and grueling process, we are at a point where the interconnectedness of our society can serve as a catalyst for desperately needed progress.
In my opinion, the biggest challenge of the coming years for Americans will be less about the issues and more about how well we understand them. Terms like fake news and misinformation have become repeat guests on news channels, social media, and political campaigns alike. This has exposed an already-divided nation to contradicting information on a weekly basis. It has reached the point where the American people have lost trust in the institutions responsible for providing us the information needed to form thoughtful and informed opinions on real-world issues.
This psychological trend is deeply concerning. Once all faith in these institutions is lost, it will be nearly impossible to regain it. This will leave us with a society where people decide what they believe based on differing accounts of truth. The best way to combat this is through widespread legislation that seeks to prevent the spread of misinformation. The Federal Communications Commission has the power to hold both social media companies and news media organizations accountable for the information they allow to be shared with their audiences. By implementing policy protecting truth and accuracy, the psychological effects of prolonged exposure to false or misleading information will be minimized. We should not and cannot allow our political leaders (from both sides of the aisle) to deliver inflammation without information. Claims must be justified, and evidence must be presented.
After all, truth is the foundational principle of a democracy, and its one that is completely and totally nonnegotiable. Our country is under attack. Economically, culturally, and psychologically, we are struggling, and how we react to these challenges will determine the future of this nation. If we choose division, hate, and conflict, then we will watch our beloved country crumble to the ground. If we choose unity, empathy, and hope, then we will go down in history as the generation that saved the greatest country in the history of the world: The UNITED States of America.
Global Adventures for Every Identity: The New Face of Inclusive Travel
Xanthia Gomez
Humans have always desired to travel and see the world. Exploring new places, trying new things, and the experiences one gets from traveling are worthwhile. Traveling offers many benefits to the mind and body. Unfortunately, for many individuals, the perception that travel is inaccessible stems from the intersectionality of their identities. Despite the logical fears and barriers that scare people from traveling, it should not be a hindrance. It is important to acknowledge common barriers that people have and how to overcome those fears. While fears and apprehensions are common aspects of travel, especially abroad, they can be overcome by conscious planning.
It is human nature to be curious, especially about different cultures and the world around us. Travel allows people to explore new places, embark on exciting adventures, and broaden their perspectives. Tourism and travel encompass more than just beach resorts; they involve learning new languages, meeting new people, and creating lasting memories with family and friends. Travel offers a fresh perspective. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone, though initially challenging, offers numerous mental and physical benefits. Stress relief and personal growth derived from new surroundings and diverse cultures and people can significantly alter an individual’s perspective on life.
These are experiences that everyone should embrace and enjoy, irrespective of their identity or personal fears. Many individuals aspire to travel, but refrain because of their fears. Nervousness is inevitable when traveling somewhere new, especially abroad. In addition, beyond the typical stresses of navigating a foreign country, it is important to acknowledge that people from different backgrounds and identities may also face unique challenges when traveling.
As a result, some people specifically avoid travel altogether, as they face a range of challenges that span from language barriers to cultural differences and even discrimination. For example, members of the LGBTQIA+ community may be hesitant to travel to countries where their rights are not recognized or protected. Individuals with disabilities may have accessibility concerns. People of color might be concerned about experiencing racism, discrimination, or cultural insensitivity. Women and feminine-presenting people for example, might fear for their personal safety in unfamiliar environments. Ninety-seven percent of women do not feel they have the physical capabilities to defend themselves (JourneyWoman). That leads to women wanting to travel to what they think are safer locations like the UK. Unfortunately, in Cornwall, United Kingdom, females are more often victims of assault by 72.7% (Emerald [source]?). It is important to note that this information is not intended to instill fear by highlighting omnipresent dangers. Instead, these statistics substantiate the validity of people’s concerns.
People tend to think that certain places should be avoided because they are full of crime and perceived dangers around every corner. The reality is that tourist locations have higher rates of crime because perpetrators know that most tourist are unprepared. The key is to conduct thorough research, allowing individuals to set realistic expectations and prepare effectively. Research is a big part of planning any trip. Most vacationers spend their time focused on finding the most enjoyable experiences. However, those who have concerns about how their identities may impact their experience should take additional steps to ensure their safety and well-being.
Research can often seem like a daunting task, but numerous resources exist to simplify the process. For example, Single Female Travelers is a company that provides women-only tours to destinations considered more challenging for solo female travelers. Apps like WithLocals enable travelers to experience any city as a local, and book private tours and activities. IGLTA, a website dedicated to LGBTQIA+ travel, provides free resources and information, advocating for equality and safety worldwide. They have curated a list of LGBTQIA+ friendly hotels with authentic reviews. Additionally, platforms like Black and Abroad, a multi-platform travel and lifestyle company, specialize in crafting culturally conscious luxury adventures for Black travelers. These examples represent just a fraction of the available resources, and with some research, anyone can discover a community of travelers offering comfort and information, thereby making travel more accessible.
By acknowledging diverse identities and the unique challenges they may face, we can work towards creating more inclusive and welcoming environments for everyone. Understanding the specific concerns of different groups is important because it allows us to be more empathetic and equips everyone to provide better support. The industry needs to be aware of the existing barriers and take active measures to make travel more open and inclusive. There are many benefits, both from a financial and social responsibility standpoint. Many companies and organizations are currently missing out on the opportunity to tap into an underserved market. As the hospitality sector evolves and expands, it becomes imperative to take further steps to ensure that identities do not hinder anyone from experiencing travel.