Justice and freedom, two of the most talked and debated about topics in today’s society. Both words are difficult to define. Everyone has different definitions for both based on their perspectives of the world.
Freedom is having the right to be able to live and express yourself fully, with most importantly, not having to risk your own safety or causing others to lose theirs in the process. The United States has come a long way in terms of granting and adding to its citizen’s rightful freedoms and protections throughout history. For example, a recent gun control bill that has passed the House of Representatives. (Edmondson) The bill, named the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, “mandates background checks be performed on all gun sales, including firearm purchases made privately, whether it be online or at gun shows.” (Edmondson).
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The bill is a perfect example to help define freedom because it further emphasis’ the most important part of the definition: safety. With the majority of recent headlines in the U.S. being of mass shootings, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 was created for that sole purpose of ensuring freedom for those who have been targeted. With the help of the bill, it is believed that the rate mass shootings caused by a mentally unfit individual would reduce dramatically. Cases, like the Sutherland Springs Church shooting, could have been completely avoided if the extra measures, expressed in the bill, would have taken place. There is no freedom if people are not guaranteed their safety whilst expressing themselves.
Justice, in its simplest form, means treating everyone fairly depending on the unique circumstances they are in. There are always different sides that should be taken into account when justice is to be served. For example, the wrongful incarceration of Cyntoia Brown, who was charged and sentenced to life in prison, for the murder of 43-year-old Johnny Allen. (Wadhwani). Brown, who admitted to shooting Allen, would undoubtedly be convicted of murder for this sole confession. Brown’s complex situation, in this case, should have been enough to change that verdict. What should have been taken into account, most importantly during trial, was that Brown was acting in self-defense when she fatally shot Allen. (Hauser) Brown, who was 16 years old at the time, was stuck in an abusive relationship with a 24-year-old pimp, nicknamed Kut Throat, who forced her into prostitution. (Wadhwani) On the night of the shooting, Kut Throat had sent Brown out to make some money and was ultimately purchased, for sex, by Allen. (Wadhwani) According to Brown, Allen was “a child predator who greatly intimidated her when he started showing off his vast gun collection and later on looked as if he was about to pull a gun out at her, causing her to react first.” (Wadhwani) In this scenario, society wholeheartedly believed Brown’s gruesome actions were justified and came out in support of her. After 15 years in prison, Brown was finally granted clemency and was released from prison. (Wadhwani).
This is a perfect example that not every situation is alike, nor should they be treated that way. All have different distinctive factors leading up that should be taken into account to ensure justice is given in the fairest way possible for all.
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