This post was originally published on this site
Norman Rockwell painted the Four Freedoms FDR mentioned in his 1941 State of the Union speech: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.
Rockwell’s four paintings exude idealism and hope, but do we enjoy these freedoms today? Are Americans able to speak freely in our polarized society, choose to worship or not, live free from hunger and fear?
Do we have freedom of speech when peaceful protestors are confronted by violent counter-protestors and police? When objectors at school board meetings are shouted down by those who disagree?
Freedom of Worship is a fundamental American right. “Each according to the dictates of his own conscience,” is written boldly at the top of this painting. Do we welcome non-Christians or barely tolerate them?
Freedom from Want is depicted as a Thanksgiving dinner. The smiling family members are seated at a table, loaded with delicious food in festive array. Yet, many Americans are “food insecure” today.
The Freedom from Fear painting shows caring parents tucking their two sleepy children snug in their bed. The father is holding a newspaper with alarming headlines. He’s sheltering his family from the horrors.
Today we can’t protect children from school shootings. Asian elders, Black, and LGBTQ people are attacked on street corners. Rights of gun owners are allowed to infringe on our basic rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Something is terribly wrong in America! This is not progress! FDR’s Four Freedoms seem but a shattered dream. Where is the civility and decency we say we esteem?
Perhaps the Four Freedoms were never real, mere goals to pursue, reasons to fight in World War II. Let us continue to aim for them, nonetheless.
