Freedom
All irony aside, I love America. Listening to all the fireworks go off over the past couple of days has got me thinking. I’m so grateful to live in a country where the sounds of explosions are immediately related to celebrating. Instead of associating the sound with fear, we get the beautiful sights, sounds, and smells of freedom. And we are free.
I made friends with this great lady from Pakistan while working on a set. Mussarat told me about how she was rich in Pakistan. Her husband was a lawyer, and she was the manager of a bank. She had a driver to take her wherever she needed to go, and a beautiful house. But it wasn’t a safe place to be. There were explosions and fighting in the streets. Women had little to no freedom, and it was getting worse all the time. So they moved to Los Angeles. They gave up their house, their money, everything. For what? Freedom to choose. Freedom to live without fear. I asked her if she regretted coming here, since she has to start at the bottom. No.
It’s not to say other countries aren’t awesome. I’m just glad that I live in a place without fear. I’m grateful to walk down the streets in shorts and a tank top, and the worst that will probably happen is having a car honk at me. Which as annoying as that is, at least I’m not being shot for it.
So here’s to you America. I appreciate you.
