I am free because... What it means to be free
I am free because I can walk with my head held high, and whether or not that makes people like or hate me, that head is free to come down in shame, regret, guilt or shoot up high in purposeful/obvious pride.
I am free because when someone treats me like shit because of the way I look, I reserve the right to stand up and land a good-enough right hook on that person's face (whether or not I get beat up later)
I am free because my family can teach me their values without being afraid that those values may be seen as lowly or insignificant outside.
I am free because I know that this life belongs to me, and how I walk through it.
I am free, because no matter how many times I am or may be pushed down even after I have climbed those thousands of stairs to success with sweat and pain, no matter how many times one may make me think that I am a lesser person, I have the right and I have the ability to keep standing up against the push and when I reach the top, I can bring my hand strong against their head and bless them for giving me fuel to the fire that brought me where I will be then.
I am free...because when someone hurts someone I love, or stands in my way on my search for that land worthy of peace, I can mock that person and he will use everything he has against the people I love against me instead. And all I receive is the pain, while what he receives is disbelief that I could take so much.
When someone does that, I can shrug and keep walking with a skip in my steps, while that mad dog keeps barking and that crazy kid keeps throwing stones at me, not knowing that the stones (as much as they hurt) can't hurt as much as it does being me.
I am free, because I have the power to fight for what I believe in.
I am free, because I can convince myself that I am.
I am free, because I hold everything my ancestors and family have provided me, and surge forth with the perfection attained from generations of mistakes.
I am free because I can say that I am, even when forced and tortured to say otherwise.
I am free, because I can say so.
I am free, because I know the responsibilities involved in being free.
I am free, because I live.
I am free... because this life is mine. And if anything is not the way it should be, I know I can go forth grab it, and change it to how I want MY life to be.
I am free, because my life belongs to me.
I am free...because life is.