WEYBURN - Freedom is a word that is being tossed around quite frequently these days. The definition of freedom can be quite arbitrary too, as having the power or right to act, speak or think as one feels is something that might be different for each person.
I never thought that my freedoms were disregarded when the government first put the COVID-19 restrictions in place. There are others who are very passionate and feel that their freedoms were violated or ignored. The frustration and stress of every individual who has struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic has truly reached a boiling point. It has come to the point where one can’t even have a simple conversation about COVID-19, without it escalating to strong point of views, and lengthy debates.
It is unfortunate that it is to the point where there are some who feel it necessary to bully others to get their point across. It is also unfortunate that there are some who took it to the extreme, and have threatened those in government because of the restrictions that are in place.
Recently, there was a really excellent lifestyle blog by Paige Denine, found by a link on a friend’s Facebook page that addressed updating the definition of freedom. The blog spoke about the recent Freedom Convoys and, while she does support the trucking industry, some of the flaws of the event itself.
One of the things that really stood out to me was her statement that freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want, but instead we should be considerate about the consequences for others around us. I am in the same mindset as the author, that mask mandates and getting the vaccine was about ensuring the health and well-being of those around me, which is why I never considered the restrictions to affect my freedoms.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed society into harder times, with many people facing financial difficulties, mental stress due to the recommended social distancing, and slowly this has resulted in a more self-centered mindset. It is tough enough on low and medium income households to provide for their families, that very few have the luxury of thinking about others outside their own family bubble.
So people are pushing back and trying to get their voices heard. It is proof of the freedoms that we are allowed as Canadians that those who organized the Freedom Convoys, or other protests against the mask mandates and proof of vaccinations requirements, were able to have the impact they did. It is just a shame that when the citizens in those neighbourhoods, who had their lives impacted negatively, share the difficulties they faced, their freedoms to do so are not respected in return. Instead more often there is bullying and extreme reactions to someone speaking up with an opposite view.
Honestly, the whole situation has me a little unsettled, and sometimes a little scared to voice my opinion at all. In fact, I usually avoid writing opinion pieces on the subject, since it scares me to my core when I read some of the online reactions to similar posts. It takes courage to respect the thoughts and opinions of others, especially when their views are not the same as your own. That is true freedom to me.
