This is by no means an attempt to scrutinise or critique John Stuart Mill's celebrated essay. So now that I have defined what this is not about, maybe I need to tell my readers what this is about. You see this part is much more complicated.
What is liberty? Is it having the right to vote once every five years to elect a democratic government? Is it being able to get married or have a relationship without having to worry about the society's approval? Is it being able to practice your religion without fear of being judged or being able to critically analyse religion without fear of being persecuted? I don't know. I believe freedom is always defined by the individual. For a 6 year old rag picker on the streets of Mumbai, freedom is being able to go to school and having time to play. For a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, freedom is divorce and financial independence. For the thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square, Egypt, freedom was the right to demonstrate and protest.
Throughout history people have struggled, rebelled, died, killed, conquered, and escaped to be free. Why is it so important for human beings to feel free? How is it that this seemingly noble concept inspires so much bloodshed and slaughter? I do not claim to have the answers but I am glad that I can raise questions. To me, this is freedom. To be able to question everything and more importantly, to be able to choose. I am free because I can choose to read till midnight or to go to sleep at 10pm. I am free because I can choose to study or to find work. I am free because I can choose to say that I am an atheist without the fear of execution.
I am free because I choose to be.
Yours Truly
