What Freedom Means to Us

By Deputy Features and Opinions Editor Luca Oakman

What does freedom mean? What does it mean to us as a society? As a community?  For myself as an individual? We all know the word freedom and we might think we know what it means, but do we truly understand the full meaning of Freedom? The term freedom isn’t as simple as it might seem, it is broad and encompasses many different meanings. 

An example of physical freedom that most Irish people know is in 1922 when 26 counties were freed from British control to form the independent Republic of Ireland. A more relevant example can be found is the Palestinian fight for freedom against Israel and Zionist control as they are currently facing a mass genocide in Gaza. This definition of freedom tends to embody a more  literal term for freedom; countries or their people leaving or fighting the control of another dominating country. This example can be seen as freedom from violence and freedom from oppression. 

Another prominent type of freedom is religious freedom. To practise religious beliefs is having a  choice to practise your own faith, with prayer, rituals and religious clothing  in the safety and comfort of your own home. The fight for religious freedom is often the cause of many conflicts between different  cultures. Many countries have a community that embraces and welcomes many different faiths and religions. According to US News, Canada, New Zealand, Netherlands, Australia and the United Kingdom are the top five countries that welcome the most diverse religious beliefs.

While there are many countries in the world where you can practise any faith you choose in relative safety, there are still many countries whose ruling body still violates religious beliefs including countries such as North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Russia. North Korea for example, under its dictatorial regime, is primarily an atheist state and public religion is discouraged.The minority that practises Christianity face persecution and often have to practice in secret. Those found to be practising Christianity  are said to be sent to prison camps and subjected to horrific tortures, simply because of their faith. While in Pakistan, the majority of the population are Muslim and follow Islamic traditions. However, religious discrimination is a big problem as many different faiths have and still face constant persecution.

Another type of freedom that remains something to be fought for by many is to express one’s sexuality and gender identity. There are currently 64 countries in the world that criminalise homosexuality, most of which are in Africa. Legalising same sex marriage and decriminalising homosexuality has only started in the 21st Century with the first country to legalise same sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001. In May 2015 Ireland was the first country to legalise same sex marriage by popular vote, with over 60% of the voting to change the law. Everyone in the LGBTQ+ Community would be aware of Stonewall, a series of riots that inspired the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement. In 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York and proceeded to forcefully drag out patrons and staff. This act outraged many people and neighbours, who collectively came together with the wider gay community in and around New York to start rioting against police harassment and persecution. While the Gay Rights Movement wouldn’t officially start for another few years, the Stonewall Riots became inspiration to fight for the rights of everyone in the LGBT+ Community. 

This freedom of self-expression in gender and sexuality is deeply connected to my personal freedom. I, as a Queer Non-Binary person, live in daily turmoil over my freedom. The UCC campus has become my safe space as I freely live as myself without any fears or repercussions. This, however, cannot be said for my hometown or my family, where I live as a shell of myself, hiding my real identity away, because I don’t know what I will face if this comes to light.   

Freedom, no matter what from, is a fight, we are all fighting to be freed from something. This is my fight. A fight I share with many others. Freedom isn’t easy to achieve but it’s something that everyone deserves to experience.