Freedom

When I was growing up, we heard a lot about America being the home of the free. Freedom. It was the calling card of democracy.

Back then, we translated that to mean bringing freedom around the globe - anywhere people were repressed. But it was also an important standard for how the US operated. We had just come through the Civil Rights era, and now people were starting to feel it. Women and blacks had earned their rights, and we continued expanding it wherever there was injustice.

Still today, that's interpreted as economic freedom. The right to do what you want for a career, to earn money and spend it as you see fit. The right to own property or operate a business. Eventually, we addressed equal pay for doing the same job, and then all the differences between us. Religious freedom. Protections against discrimination. Like your race, age or sexual preference.

I think it's good that America has continued to evolve. If we truly stand for freedom, then we should continue to open up society so all of us have the ability to live with dignity, no matter the circumstances we choose for ourselves.

That's the America I want to live in. Happy Pride Month.