What It Means To Be Free

by Daniel Herman, second grader - 2/24/1992

My friend Dan recently dug up this essay he wrote in second grade. The assignment allowed him to write about any topic he wanted. While others wrote about dogs and basketball, he chose to write about freedom.

I will tell you what it means to be free. Our country was once ruled by England but now we are free. There have been many laws passed to make sure that people are free. The Emancipation Proclamation said that the slaves were free. No one could own the slaves and make them work for them. The Declaration of Independence said that we were free. We were free from being ruled by England. These laws are important because some people think everyone should be treated evenly. This means everyone is free to make their own decisions.