Freedom is Opportunity
Freedom, to me, has always meant opportunity. That is the reason my family came to the United States in the first place. My parents left behind their lives in Mexico so their kids could have chances they never had. For them, freedom was not about living comfortably, it was about making sure we could choose our own path and make a name for ourselves.
When I was younger, I felt free in the way most kids do. I was unaware of the more serious issues in the world. All I cared about were the mythical worlds that I would read about in my books, sports, and playing with my friends. I didn’t think too much about the world beyond what was in front of me. At that point, I didn't understand what it meant to grow up in a farmworker family, or how much my parents were giving up to give me that carefree childhood. Especially in the summer, when my dad would work long days in the onion fields, he would wake up at the crack of dawn and come home completely exhausted. However, even though my parents worked a lot they always made sure to make time for my siblings and I. They gave us everything we needed, giving us a great childhood. It wasn’t until I did my share of work in the fields that I understood the immense determination and motivation it takes to work in that area. I don’t even know the amount of times I wanted to drop my stuff and go home, but it wasn’t fair of me to do that because it’s what so many of my family members had to do every day. That is why I believe that having the opportunity to pursue any career I want is a freedom in its own way.
Things started to shift once I got into my teens. I began to notice more: how hard my parents worked, how tired they were, and how different my life was compared to some of my classmates. That’s when I started to understand where I came from and why my family came to this country in the first place. I still had the freedom to make my own choices, but
I began to think more carefully about my decisions and what they would lead to. It no longer felt like just doing whatever I wanted, it felt like something I had to use wisely.
My definition of freedom has evolved a lot over the years. Now, it means being able to make my own choices and create my own path. Specifically, I want my choices to lead me to graduate with a high GPA, attend law school, become a lawyer or work in public policy, but overall to do what makes me happy. It is no longer about doing whatever I want. It is about building the future I have always wanted and giving back to the people who got me here.