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Mike Lootens
Olympia High School |
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Eric Foner provides the reader with a chronological look at the
dynamic and elusive notion of freedom throughout American History.
By examining freedom in its many facets he often looks at a one-step
forward two-step backward journey. During my early reading, I
wish he had presented his definition of freedom, but retrospect
I was taken with the many ways he was able to present struggle
of those who were denied it. The inclusion of the word "story"
in the title was interesting; I see it as a never-ending pursuit
with many curves and roadblocks.
As I read, I kept thinking about my personal definition of freedom.
We cannot function with total personal freedom. The limitations
of individual liberty for the public good are a constant theme of
the book, while classical republicanism is used to limit freedom
for the public good. This paradox demonstrated throughout the book's
journey, exhibits how freedom is an ideal that never will be totally
defined or achieved.
My teaching of American History in the last five years has been
limited to post-World War II, so I read the last four chapters
with greater interest. I enjoyed the look at the changes in the
1950s. Foner's ability to look at the many sides of freedom through
various lenses, such as economic, social, political or religious
freedom really accentuates the dynamic nature of the period. It
is this that I try to emphasize to my students and I take a great
deal from this as it is continues to change the never-ending definition
of freedom.
The relation between the citizenry, economy and government has
shaped the definition of freedom. The times allow individuals and
movements the chance to attain greater freedoms or conversely, institutions
like the government and its cohorts the ability to be limited. The
battle between classical liberalism and classical republicanism
lives on with a history deeply embedded in the American psyche as
a privilege and necessary right of each individual as each struggles
to define freedom.
P.S. Why not say more about the plight of the Native Americans.
Does their culture dictate a different type of freedom counter the
freedom discussed by Foner?
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