It is Independence Day, and people all over the nation are celebrating freedom.
The full weight this holiday used to carry is really lost on me today. While we remain an independent nation, (note, I do have gratitude to the individuals who put themselves in harms way to make sure our independence is not threatened), free is something we are not.
Governing what humans can and cannot do with their bodies is not freedom.
Limiting the ways in which humans are safe to explore their sexual identity is not freedom.
People of color with the inability to be safe in the presence of law enforcement is not freedom.
Humans apprehensive to identify with their chosen religion in fear of violent repercussions is not freedom.
Holding, in cages and camps, humans who come to our boarders in search of asylum is not freedom.
We can call ourselves an independent nation. But many of our citizens — and people hoping to become citizens — are not experiencing being a free people. While some of this may appear to solely be actions of other humans based on their personal beliefs and values, it is no secret that our current administration has blatantly supported prejudice without consequence.
People feel comfortable harming others in the name of systematic prejudice because they were validated through someone of higher power, someone who leads the country by inducing fear into the people who are already struggling to accept the way society as a whole is evolving to be more inclusive of all.
Our land of opportunity has become a land of conditional opportunity. Under the condition that you fit into a specific category or role, categories that, if you attempt to make those lanes fluid and explore your freedoms, you are in danger or viewed a threat.
In fear of sounding too dramatic, we as a society, mainly minorities and marginalized people, have been experiencing dark times since the Trump era began. But as history shows, you cannot hold people down, social inequality and prejudice will not take a backseat, no matter how hard the president may try.
With that being said, we have an election coming up. We are in charge of who we want to lead us. We still have that freedom. We have the right to vote, the right to decide who we want to represent us as a nation and lead by example.
Other nations used to look at us as an example of progress, and now we are looked down upon because of who we have chosen to lead us into the future.
Pay attention to who our candidates are, what they represent and the choices they may make that will impact your life, the lives of those you care about and the lives of every human residing in this country.
It is our responsibility as a nation to be informed and once again, let freedom ring.
Maritsa Cervantes
Maritsa Cortez Cervantes, Salt Lake City, is studying psychology, sociology and criminology at the University of Utah, and also works at a local mental health facility helping former inmates and the homeless reintegrate into society.