Freedom is one of the most celebrated ideas in American life, but we rarely stop to ask what it truly means.
Is a person genuinely free simply because certain rights exist on paper? Or does freedom also require the security and opportunity necessary to exercise those rights?
A person may technically have the freedom to pursue an education, build a career or participate in democracy. But those freedoms become difficult to exercise when that person is struggling to afford housing, healthcare, nutritious food or other basic necessities.
Throughout American history, the promise of freedom has not been shared equally. Entire groups of people have been excluded from opportunity through laws, economic barriers and political decisions. Although progress has been made, many of those barriers continue to influence who receives stability, opportunity and a meaningful voice in our government.
That is why freedom must be more than a promise. It must include the ability to live with dignity, make meaningful choices and participate fully in society.
Public investment plays an important role in making that possible. Schools, roads, healthcare systems, safe communities and other shared resources create the foundation people need to build productive lives. These investments should serve ordinary people—not merely protect the wealth and influence of those who already possess the most power.
Freedom should not be reserved for people who can afford it. It should not depend on a person's income, family background or access to political influence.
If we want to call ourselves a free society, we must be willing to examine whether our institutions give everyone a genuine opportunity to live freely—or whether freedom remains something promised to many but fully experienced by only a few.
This is the question at the heart of the first chapter of my forthcoming book: What does freedom truly mean, and who has been allowed to experience it?