Hypocrisy of Freedom

Hypocrisy of Freedom

A Poem by Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
"

One can not read the poem "Cross" by Langston Hughes and not be changed by it. Freedom is not a fight, but a prayer.

"
Hypocrisy of Freedom

(A thought experiment of ethical common sense)

By 

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada


What is freedom


Who decides the interpretation of the word in context to societal beliefs


Are a chosen few relegated as arbiters to such a word

Does it define a select segment who can afford its so called encompassing ideology


Who do these rights inherently define


A civil society is not truly free
For laws are required to keep civility


Is faith the foundation upon which freedom should be defined


Only if it is your faith that is allowed to choose


Faith restricts freedom for ethics defines its nature


Righteousness is embodied by our higher virtues


Where do I as a man have the right to tell a woman what she must do with her body?


To strip away one's freedom is to erode my own


We live with the consequences of our own individual choice


Denying this truth is to ignore equity in these personal freedoms in which we believe


Originalist thinkers would have you believe our declaration and rights are set in stone


Immutable to the whims of changing times and societal evolution


Be wary of such thinkers who seek to coerce with failed logic


For an originalist still believes that minorities are 3 fifths a man by their standards


Freedom is afforded to the living, not the dead, or yet to live



Because choice is something you must live with and for.


That is the essence of true freedom... 

© 2022 Carlos Lorenzo Estrada


Author's Note

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
My muse Cate is perhaps a bit more political than I am. She says I should care more. I asked her why. She slapped me across the face before saying, "Because you're minority. Do you realize your voice is seen by some in society as minimal? " Without skipping a beat I said to her, "So is yours. " and I slapped myself because of the profound irony of my own words. She smiled and gave me a wink and kiss on the cheek. "Exactly..." was her reply. Feel free to comment, troll, or said deep prayers my way. Though I do caution I'm agnostic and don't believe in organized religion. But that doesn't mean I don't recognize the beauty of faith and its hopeful human message.

My Review

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Reviews

I have written often Carlos. We don't miss freedom, till she is gone.
"Freedom is afforded to the living, not the dead, or yet to live"
I did like the above lines. We must be careful. We have men in-charge who want sheep. Not wolves. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you CP for sharing your wise thoughts on this piece of social commentary in poetry. I totally.. read more
Coyote Poetry

1 Year Ago

You are welcome my friend.
As I logged in today I saw your poem in the top writing list and your mention of Hughes's poem 'Cross'. So I read that first. Then straight to this. I found a bridge between the two. The choices we make in life regarding our heritage, and driven by our heritage, become memories and regrets at the end of life. I hope you can take some solace in knowing the originalists are a dying breed. The vast majority judge by the content of character. The originalists are just loud in their desperation to be heard.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you William, for not just reading this work, but for also taking the time to read a more power.. read more
William Michael Reeves

1 Year Ago

Interesting how blood is spilled and mixed in history. I'll keep writing, and reading your verbal sc.. read more
I am impressed by the musicality of these words, the rhythm. I read just yesterday about Yeats, and in his notebook he wrote first about the sounds of words he was thinking of using in a poem before he even knew what the poem was about, what James Logenbach calls poetry, the sound of language organized in lines.

In our poetry, before any message can come across the poem must be memorable, and that means a sonic experience. You have accomplished that well. Congrats.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you so much for your comment on this piece. There are quite a few times I write without know .. read more
Interesting thoughts here, Carlos. I wonder how free a society without laws could really be. There are no laws in the jungle, but there is continual fear and conflict. Not a place where I would want to live. As to choice, it is indeed a wonderful thing to have, but it is easily abused. No one makes mass murderers commit their ghastly acts, unless they are acting on command hallucinations. Usually, they are choosing to gain some sort of revenge.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Nature, indeed, is probably a fine example of these experiments in societal practices and ideas. The.. read more
a complex matter with differing views for sure. i appreciate your thoughts on the matter. the constitution we were handed by the (much more god fearing) founding fathers was drafted in a much different world - so much has changed but has it really? liberal man keeps stretching truth. i would argue that without faith (hope) in a higher power man is doomed as evidenced by the world waxing worse each day. i could argue about abortion but will refrain from doing so for fear of backlash and igniting a firestorm. i could argue that there are certain immutable truths but man choosing not to accept them has lead to downfall. adam and eve were given one rule (truth) to follow by god and they went against it and look where we are now. do advances in technology give us the "right" to rewrite or change truth? again, a complex issue but i liked reading your very observant thoughts on such matters.

over 150 years ago thoreau wrote that, "The law will never make a man free; it is men who have got to make the law free." the question is how much freedom do we need or want? too much and anarchy reigns. my neighbor is keeping me up and infringing upon my freedom to sleep peacefully at night so i would like to kill him and on and on it goes. as you so observantly allude, perhaps to be truly free one would have to live alone in a secluded place without laws and government (society).

"Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. The law will never make a man free; it is men who have got to make the law free. America is said to be the arena on which the battle of freedom is to be fought; but surely it cannot be freedom in a merely political sense that is meant." - Thoreau

i would argue that we not free in america at all and becoming less so all the time as more people crowd into the country in search of freedom that is quickly vanishing.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32

only when man knows and accepts truth will there be real freedom but good luck with that in the materialistic u.s. with it's dollar - how humorous that they adorn our money with the phrase, "In God We Trust" ... :)

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

I respect and admire your candor, my friend. This is what I call a civil conversation. Two differe.. read more
I have always been aware that freedom...freedom of ones thoughts is ever so important..
To be true to oneself.. to be honest with ones self..
For me this is what is important.
Really enjoyed your words..
Lisa, now in Spain

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you Lisa for commenting on this piece. I know many may be of differing opinion, which I resp.. read more
Lisasview

1 Year Ago

Thank you so much for you response... I too come from a diverse background... I had a terrible time .. read more
or maybe Kris Kristofferson had it right...

"freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"---

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Sung hauntingly by Janis Joplin. One of the great poetic lines in any song.
I think the only true freedom for us is inside of us, is how we react to the shackles put on our freedom, the rules, the understanding that we are not free to do as we please...
and yet, this country certainly has more freedom than many others do, and for that, I guess we are grateful.
really thoughtful piece, Carlos.
j.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you kindly J for sharing your insight. I do value it very much. In life there comes a time wh.. read more
Freedom is in the eyes of the beholders. Great
write!

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

Thank you JP for your insight and thoughts on this piece. As a fellow artist and poet it means a lo.. read more
YAY You're back!!! and with a big WOW. I love this semi-political/moral/ethical piece here... and a real analysis of what freedom and truths are, plus a million other important thoughts. I've always believed in equality ; that every person deserves dignity and respect. I also agree with you that every human has a choice in a free society; no government body (including the supreme court ) should decide on a woman's choice to have or not have a baby and to be able to abort if desired. These are basic human rights and should not be interfered with by any public body. of law. Excellent write my dear Carlos.
Best, B.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

1 Year Ago

I could not have said it better myself, B. I agree with every word you said. Art for me is not only.. read more
Betty Hermelee

1 Year Ago

Love your analysis! And you’re very welcome!
Best, B.

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Added on May 9, 2022
Last Updated on May 10, 2022
Tags: hope belief philosophy

Author

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

salinas , CA



About
If I can say something worth saying that makes just one person think about others...I'll try. The greatest storyteller was my grandmother. I miss her stories. Also, I would like to add to please pay.. more..

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