Opinion

As we were preparing for the Independence Day celebration, someone asked me to articulate the meaning of freedom for an African-American woman in the United States. While celebrating the independence of America, my countenance sank when pondering the exclusion of equality for Africans or “those from a distant land.” Even though we have progressed in our thinking about our “inalienable rights,” many Americans are still in denial about what freedom means for all people and how the lack of freedom violates our pursuit of the American dream. I am not angry, I am sad.

With the “Good Old Fashioned Olney 4th of July” parade going on today, followed by a fireworks extravaganza at the Olney Country Club, this is the time of year I like to write about U.S. veterans and freedom in general.

Democrats sue over defunding of legislative branch