Freedom Day 2015

Today is Freedom Day in South Africa.
After over 21 years of “freedom”, I have come to understand freedom very differently.

I have learned that unless my brothers and sisters are free, then how can I be free? Freedom is not reserved for one select group of people. When I say my brothers and sisters, I do not mean the people in my community or province or country or continent. I include every living being on this planet.

We have separated black from white and white from black. Yet, how can we be different? I’ve looked into the eyes of thousands of men and women from all across the globe of every colour, and I can promise you that when u look into the eyes of someone, the connection felt is one and the same. We have even created separation where there is none.
Imaginary borders separate human beings when in truth no borders exist. A line drawn in the sand does not make this half mine and that half hours. The only thing that belongs to you is the line.

The problem with this world is not hate. It’s pure ignorance. Ignorance will always lead to your destruction. If you are thirsty and you are unaware that this bottle contains paraffin and not water, it may lead to a certain death.

Education is not enough. The right education is what is needed. Incorrect education or information is just as destructive as ignorance.

However, some things, cannot be taught. If you need to be told killing another being is wrong, then you are neither human or animal. No animal kills unless it is hungry. Animals of the same species never kill each other. So what are you if you kill even that which looks like you?

Freedom can only exist when judgements and prejudices are eliminated. When no group thinks they are better or lesser than the other. When there is mutual respect and love for another’s beliefs. When we remove borders and walls, and instead build bridges between countries and bridges between hearts. When every child on this planet has access to a safe home, free education, food and water. When the rights of animals are no different from the rights of human beings. When profit is not the agenda, but love and empowerment is. When we work together towards a single vision of peace. When we pray together, irrespective of religion or caste. When every person on this planet has at least one meal in a day. If every 3 people got together to feed one hungry person, no on me will starve.

This is Freedom. Just because my shackles are removed, does not mean I am free. The most dangerous shackles are the ones that cannot be seen.

It isn’t “Happy” Freedom Day until we are all free. Until we are all free how can we be happy. But we can celebrate the journey and how far we have come and the journey moving forward.

Love,
Mohan H