Over the years it seems, the government has apparently done things that are supposed to benefit us. During World War I, the Sedition Act was passed, which immediately banned all newspapers, shows, or various forms of media from speaking out against the government. During the Vietnam War, many were drafted against their will to fight in a war that to many, seemed unjust. And the greatest example I can think of happened during the Women Suffrage Era.
A political activist, Alice Paul, protested everyday in front of the White House in order to ratify the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Seeing her as a threat to the government, she was immediately locked up and thrown into jail where she was force fed and held as a political prisoner.
And all these events lead to one question: why must our government do this? Their answer is that they need to keep this country safe. But how can we feel safe knowing that in just an instant out government is willing to take all our rights and freedoms away? How is taking away our rights making us feel safe as citizens?
Although the government has pardoned some of the activists involved in these events, many are still silenced and incarcerated for using their 1st Amendment Right, or other liberties. I’ve come to the realization that as history has progressed, our government has learned nothing from their mistakes and continues to repeat them.
When will we finally be able to truly enjoy this country’s freedoms and liberties? When will we live in a true democracy where our rights will not be taken away simply because of a war or because the government doesn’t want to look bad? That, I believe, is the day when we will truly become a free country.
