Sometimes when I write about freeing ourselves rather than joining mass movements or flinging ourselves into political campaigns, somebody will accuse me of being nihilistic or advocating me-me-me values.
If you’ve been around long enough, you know that’s not the point. The point is, of course, that true freedom can only arise from within the individual and spread from there. All “political” solutions are just band-aids on a wound if we’re not prepared to live free, to accord equal rights of freedom to our neighbors, and to personally oppose tyranny.
Still, it’s understandable that people who’ve always thought of freedom only in terms of mass action miss that point. After the recent blog, “Occupy Your Ownself,” that notion came up again.
I hate repeating myself, though after 15 years of doing what I do, I understand it’s a necessity. In this case, though, I stumbled upon an old Backwoods Home article that says some things that bear repeating.
I found it in one of the ancient issues of BHM that came with the house I bought last year. It wasn’t online and I had long ago lost any e-copy on my computer. Fortunately, webmaster Oliver keeps everything. And he kindly put it online for me a couple of days ago. He even took the initiative to add a good collection of links (thank you, Oliver).
So here is the first article I wrote for BHM after 9-11: “Freedom Tomorrow.”
It’s dated now, of course. But it’s still a pretty good statement on how the act of living free can build freedom in the broader sense.
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I’m going to take the next day or two off from work-work and blogging. I’ll be doing some projects around the house and hopefully also finishing J.D. Tuccille’s new novel High Desert Barbecue, which he was kind enough to send me in a really beautiful trade paperback form. It’s a terrific read so far and I’ll have more to say once I can finally make time to finish it.
I think that many people don’t even understand the responsibility of freedom anymore, even some so-called libertarians.
In the dystopian novel I am writing, a character has been brainwashed by the state as a child. She now sees and reads the truth with her own eyes, but her brain can’t seem to make the connection. Others remind her that she has to learn to be free in her mind first.
911 did a big number on my head, as I’d worked across the street from WTC for many years, and took it personally. For a while, I chose to buy into the mainstream thinking of the day. It took me 4 years to get my brain back to being free again.
We all have our roles. Some are good at being public activists to help implement change, and others are good at doing things behind the scenes simply to get people thinking.
If people don’t first live free in their mind, the rest is all just going through the motions, and they won’t be able to go the distance, no matter what role they play.
“She now sees and reads the truth with her own eyes, but her brain can’t seem to make the connection. Others remind her that she has to learn to be free in her mind first.”
Even knowing or (God forbid) “feeling” the truth, it takes a while to erase the brainwashing. We’ve heard so much for so long that it’s impossible to destroy in our brains. Sometimes even freedom has to “grow” on you, because the actions you take are 180 degrees opposite from what you’ve always believed and done. But one day there comes a “got it” moment, and from then on, everything falls into place, and you can begin to act on what you know to be true.
“Freedom Tomorrow” is one of your better ones, Claire — a good plan for the individual to act on. Unfortunately it came early when a lot of people were still caught up by 9-11, so they probably didn’t believe or know how to apply it then.
I keep trying to explain freedom to various family members and friends and it is difficult. I find I have to use very small words and simple sentences. First hurdle is to explain that Freedom is not wrapped up in ANY political party. Second hurdle is explaining that Freedom is not the same as neo-anarchy. Third hurdle is explaining that Freedom does not come from the govt, but from within and requires responsibility. Uphill battle, but I am trying.
It took me several years but I did get my wife, kids, and other family members to finally understand that they do not have the right to commit my time and/or resources, or anyone elses, without prior consent. It seems to have ruffled feathers, but if you are not free to decide how you will spend your own time, you are not free.
Thank you, Claire– you truly are timeless!
There will always be those who confuse “freedom” for “obeying a just master”. I can see where that tendancy comes from, but it’s still a little sad.