Freedom of Choice
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Do you all remember the powerful and heart-wrenching scene from the movie Roots? It is the scene where Kunta Kinte, a resilient African slave, faces relentless brutality at the hands of slave masters. The scene unfolds as Kunta is beaten mercilessly because he refuses to accept the name given to him by his oppressors.
"I want to hear you say your name. Your name is Toby. What's your name?"
"Kunta." (He gets whipped)
"What's your name? Say it, boy... It's Toby. Who are you? Say your name."
"Kunta… Kunta Kinte."
(He gets whipped continuously until he finally submits and softly says...) "Toby."
The scene is on repeat in my mind as I reflect on the current threats to our freedom of choice. In that scene, Kunta Kinte's determination to hold onto his identity serves as a graphic reminder of the significance and vulnerability of our right to make our own choices. He was not given the choice to keep his name; in fact, when he resisted, he was beaten into submission. I know that some of you might think I'm being overly dramatic right now, but I believe we are covertly and sometimes overtly being whipped into submitting to fewer freedoms. Let me explain.
So, what is "freedom of choice?" For the purposes of this column, when I say "freedom of choice," I mean a person's ability to choose their own path, make their own decisions about the options they have, as long as they are not infringing on others' rights. This is a basic human right and is fundamental to our democracy. It's important because freedom of choice acknowledges that people have the power to make their own decisions, and that choice is respected and protected.
Some examples of freedom of choice include:
- Choosing a career path: Individuals have the freedom to select their profession based on their interests, skills, and aspirations.
- Selecting a partner: People have the freedom to choose their life partners based on their personal preferences, values, and compatibility.
- Freedom of religion: Each person has the right to choose their own religious beliefs or to practice no religion at all, without coercion or discrimination.
- Freedom to choose what we want to read without censorship.
Freedom of choice allows us the ability to exercise our rights and make decisions based on our personal values, beliefs, and desires. We all have unique perspectives, preferences, and goals, and those choices should be respected. Having access to a variety of choices is essential for fostering personal growth and self-fulfillment. We are empowered when we can pursue our passions, make choices that align with our values, and take charge of our own destinies.
It is important that we recognize and address threats to our freedom of choice and act to preserve our democracy. One example of a threat is the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Whether you believe in abortion or not, this action threatens our freedom by potentially restricting choices. Women in some areas have fewer options when it comes to reproductive decisions. Banning books and/or censorship are also threats as they restrict access to diverse perspectives, history, ideas, and information and limit our ability to explore and form independent thoughts. Also, the idea of forcing people to conform to a set of ideas around morality and norms is a threat to all of our choices. Certainly, discrimination is a threat because it limits access to opportunities based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
Now, you might be wondering how this relates to Kunta Kinte and the scene in Roots where he was beaten into submission. First of all, we should be as committed to our freedom of choice as Kunta was to his name. We should fight to preserve our identity in America, so that means fighting against any attempts to limit access to our history and information about our struggles. While it might not be as brutal, current actions that restrict our access to information or services are like mini whips, each one of them leaving a mark on our freedom of choice.
Anyway, I might be stretching it a little, but these are my thoughts. By acknowledging Kunta Kinte's struggles in this scene in Roots, I hope to provide a visual of the ongoing fight for freedom of choice. The scene captures the struggles and sacrifices of countless individuals throughout history who have fought to preserve our freedom against oppressive forces. It is important to recognize and address these threats and help promote awareness. We must advocate for individual rights, foster inclusive societies, and encourage critical thinking because it is crucial in maintaining a free and democratic society.
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library Congresswoman.
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