As I get ready to prepare our Independence Day Cookout, I reflect on some of the dialogue I read in the media about this occasion.
First: a very moving short music video by my friend Sandy Wilbur called “We The People.” This piece not only weaves today’s children with those of the past and helps us remember that we must protect freedom for each generation, but also the importance of helping our kids learn about our history and our fortunate we are.
Second: a dialogue with another professional on “Linked-in” about the implications of new freedoms for one group on others (in this case increased rights for women). Yes, with new freedom comes responsibility. In societies where the responsibilities are not assumed when freedom is granted, poverty and crime follow (look at the issues in Jamaica). Our mindsets must change in order to absorb the changes in rights and change our behavior with them. Our dialogue was in a family business conversation area and part of the dialogue was around the importance of people to have the freedom to seek opportunities that are congruent with their dreams: e.g. women to become leaders in the family businesses and first born sons to choose not to if that is not their dream. The key is that gender (like race or sexual preference) not determine our destiny, but our dreams. With dreams, come passion and energy which is necessary to make things happen.
Third: a series of essays in the New York Times on the future of marriage, given the recent changes in NY laws allowing gay marriage. The most telling remarks: that while marriage is sought by gays as a right and while upper middle class people are marrying in increasing numbers, marriage is less popular in less educated, less affluent parts of society today. In other words, people are exercising the freedom not to marry. One of the commentators noted that without the support of the family unit that comes traditionally with marriage, people depend on other social systems: the government.
This takes us back to Sandy’s song, “We the People.” It is imperative that we teach our children that freedom requires personal responsibility. And teach by personal example, including voting, engaging each other in healthy governance and positive dialogue.
Happy July 4th!
