Southport Magazine

As I reflect on the rights afforded to me as an American citizen, I am humbled and immensely grateful. So many sacrifices of life and raw effort have been made over several hundred years to allow our country to be free—to, in fact, allow America to become a country at all.

We stand as a nation in 2013 with the freedom for each person to be who they are while respecting the rights of others. Divided politically as we may be, at least we are able to express divided opinions. Our nation’s citizens have the freedom of religion, the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is the right of the people to be secure, and these abilities cannot be hindered on account of race or sex. Our country rose up against slavery and servitude, and our freedoms keep us safe against tyranny.

Without the First Amendment, I likely would not be writing you today. The freedom of speech and of press allows me to share my thoughts with you openly (and allows me to put food on the table). I, like all of you, can speak freely, respectfully, without fearing restraint. Our Founding Fathers understood the value of a free press: It promotes the discussion of many ideas and allows our people to educate themselves rather than relying on the propaganda of a ruler. We can discuss anything and everything, coming to a consensus or agreeing to disagree. We can form a collective will for the greater good.

As I reflect on these rights, I see them in use daily, in ways I don’t notice normally. Even something as simple as the formation of the Water Tower District—business owners joining together to brand and promote their section of Southport—exhibits the freedom of speech. They can sell what they choose, and they can come to a consensus through majority rule, something that is only facilitated by the First Amendment.

This month, we will add over 100 new citizens to the United States during the NC 4th of July Festival’s Naturalization Ceremony, offering the same freedoms to candidates who have worked hard, just as our ancestors did, to be where we are. We have the freedom to fly a flag high over Howe Street and salute it, celebrate it—and, most importantly, we want to, because it is a symbol of our rights.

I hope that as you celebrate the birth of our nation, you also reflect on your rights and how they work in day-to-day life. I think we all will be more thankful in the end.

To liberty and justice for all,
Bethany Turner