Reflection on Freedom

by emma ugarelli

Sometimes, the world aches so much it becomes unbearable. And when that happens, I find that ache turning into thoughts.
This is one of those moments.
Today, I want to share a reflection about freedom—what it means to me, especially in times like these. I’m not here to point fingers or create division.
My only wish is that these words might touch someone, even just one person, and remind us that:
We can think differently, and still respect each other.
We all have the right to be heard--and the  duty to listen.
Not to impose ideas simply because we can,
or because we feel entitled to do so.
This post begins a new section of reflections here on my blog and Facebook—words that come from the heart, especially when silence becomes too heavy to carry.
A Reflection on Freedom Inspired by Ribeyro
​“Freedom is not conquered once and for all; it must be conquered every day,” wrote Julio Ramón Ribeyro. And it’s true—freedom is more than just a beautiful word or an abstract concept. It is a fundamental right, a deep longing… and, too often, a broken promise.
We live in societies that, even while calling themselves democratic, impose rules, narrow discourses, and forced silences. There are regimes that speak of liberty while restricting opinions, placing the so-called freedoms of some above the rights of others. When the freedom of one group harms, humiliates, or silences another, we are no longer talking about justice—but about abuse.
Expressing a different opinion has become a risk. Fear of retaliation, cancellation, or stigmatization keeps many people silent. Today, many prefer to stay quiet rather than be targeted by extreme groups who believe they alone have the right to speak and define what freedom means.
To conquer freedom also means having the courage to say enough:

• Enough of crimes masked as causes.
• Enough of lies that destroy public trust.
• Enough of hollow ideologies that only sow division.
• Enough of pretending the emperor wears a dazzling robe when he’s clearly naked.

True freedom does not fear truth. True freedom is exercised with respect, with responsibility, and with the firm conviction that no one--absolutely no one—should be silenced for thinking differently.