Thesis: True freedom can only be achieved when people are willing to make sacrifices.
Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Throughout history there are many examples where individuals, races, or groups did not have such freedom. Imagine not being able to drink out of the same water fountain as someone else because you weren't considered equal, this is an example of one of the many restraints on what people could do, say, where they could go and how how they could act in times without freedom. James Meredith, American Soldiers, and the crucifixion are all examples of the freedom that can come through sacrifice.
This Pulitzer Prize winning photo shows James Meredith on his ¨March Against Fear¨. This photo clearly demonstrates the sacrifice of a man searching for freedom as James Meredith is marching for the right of blacks to be able to vote. From the body language in this image the audience can clearly see that James has been hurt. His position on the ground and his expression of shock clearly emit a feeling of pain and suffering allowing the audience to understand that he has probably been shot and is badly hurt. Secondly, note the colouring of the image, the all black and white emphasizes James Meredith’s black skin, as it allows him to stand out more against the predominantly white surrounding. The main character in this photo is black and he is being shot at, allowing the audience to make a conjecture that there isn’t equality for coloured people in this time and place. The elements in this image convey the message of inequality and in fact this is true. This image was taken in 1966 when freedom for blacks might as well have been non existent. In the image we see that James Meredith is on his own, however, shortly after the shooting in this image occurred many more people joined Meredith’s march for freedom. Demonstrating that through Meredith’s sacrifice he inspired others to fight for the right to vote, bringing blacks one step closer to true freedom.
This image of the American soldiers raising their flag on the battleground is another great demonstration of freedom through sacrifice. Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is a historic photograph showing five soldiers raising a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi, during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War Two. It is a common belief that going to war is a sacrifice for your country, and the foreground in this image further proves this sacrifice. The foreground is full of ruins and demolition that comes with the violence of war. The soldiers standing in the midst of this wreckage gives the audience an idea of the fighting and destruction they endured to get to this point that declares America's freedom. The soldiers raising the American flag over conquered Japan territory is a beautiful depiction of the freedom that comes after the sacrifices of war. Three of the soldiers who took part in this flag raising died in the next couple days of combat as the battle of Iwo Jima drew to its ends and American conquered the Japanese Island. Demonstrating that they were willing to sacrifice themselves in order to gain this victory that would help lead to America's freedom from Japanese attacks. 
Finally this image of Jesus Christ being crucified on a cross is the ultimate demonstration of freedom through sacrifice. Whether you believe it happened or not, everyone has heard the story of Jesus Christ. It begins with God the Father who saw sin in the world He created, so He sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. Jesus, came to earth as a humble and innocent servant, and took the sin of man upon Himself and died on the cross to pay the penalty for it. Crucifixion is a violent and brutal death, considered to be one of the harshest death penalties. Jesus Christ was the only person in the world to ever be without sin and he died on of the most painful deaths to free every person from their imperfections. Jesus dying for everyone else’s wrongs is the ultimate act of sacrifice, all to give the people of the world, whom He loves, freedom from sin. The body positioning of Jesus’ arms opened wide on the cross demonstrates how he is taking on the sins of all people. His head leaned towards Heaven allow the audience to see that He is taking on sin to free the people of the world from the sins that separate us from God, hence He is looking up to Heaven to God the Father. This image depicting the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made to give all the people of the world freedom from sin clearly demonstrated the sacrifice associated with freedom.
All of these Images help to prove that true freedom can only be achieved when people are willing to make sacrifices. Firstly, James Meredith’s on his ‘March Against Fear” sacrificed his safety and inspired others to fight for the right of blacks to vote as well, bringing blacks closer to true freedom. Secondly, the image Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima showing American soldiers raising the U.S. flag on the battleground demonstrating how their willingness to sacrifice themselves in order to gain a victory that would help lead to America's freedom from Japan’s attacks. Finally, this point is proved through the image of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ which shows an Jesus sacrificing his life to free the whole world from sin. Through these three images the audience can see that sacrifice is an important factor in freedom and you cannot have freedom without sacrifice. These images also inspire audiences to make sacrifices in the aspects of life where they seek freedom.
Works Cited
Crucifixion of Christ. Bing. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2015. <http://www.jesuspictures.co/jesus-crucifixion-image.jpg>.
Rosenthal, Joe. “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.” Bing. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2015. <http://studioraw.fr/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Raising-the-Flag-on-Iwo-Jima.jpg>.
Thornell, Jack R. “Shooting of James Meredith.” Black Film Centre/Archive. N.p., 2 Oct. 2012. Web. 8 June 2015. <https://blackfilmcenterarchive.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/the-visual-imprint-of-james-meredith/>.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your essay and listening to your presentation. I think the sacrifice involved in achieving freedom is such an important topic, because often people don't think about the cost of their freedom and will too often take it for granted. You presented this issue really well, while touching on several different points. I thought this was great because you showed how anyone is capable of self-sacrifice for greater good. This is important because it shows how anyone can help their country achieve freedom, yet we still have so many countries that lack true freedom. I wonder if this is because the people in those countries do not feel sacrifice is worthwhile? Or maybe it could be because the people as a whole are not trying hard enough to achieve freedom? Either way I think it is important for people to realize that freedom isn't free, and that often many lives are given to gain freedom.
ReplyDeleteAs well, I enjoyed the addition of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Being a Christian, I think about this a lot, and how His death was the ultimate sacrifice for us and our freedom. I know it can be difficult to bring religion into the classroom, but I'm glad you did because it is a perfect representation of your argument and the best example you could have used.
Overall great job Abby, great presentation!
Caitlin, thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it and happy to hear that my christian perspective resonated with you! I agree that often times people take for granted how blessed they are to have freedom in so many aspects of life. We often take our freedom so much for granted to the point we don't even understand all the areas of life where we have freedom compared to others. For example the typical Canadian has freedom of speech, vote, education, dress, religion, etc.. where as many countries have restrictions on these things. You raise a good question, concerning why some countries don't have freedom. I believe that people's hesitancy to sacrifice could definitely be part of their lack of freedom. Sacrifice is a serious and scary thing, when fighting for something really important sacrifice could mean you no longer are safe, in situations people could even die fighting for freedom. However, this is what I was trying to prove, if people are not willing to make these sacrifices there won't be any movement towards freedom. Think about Malala, whom you spoke of in your presentation, she has sacrificed her safety and comfort because she truly wants girls to be free to be educated. Although education for girls in her home is still a struggle, at least there is a struggle now. What I mean is that her standing up for education and sacrificing her safety has started and furthered the fight for freedom of education and made people more aware of this issue. So in concerns to people seeing sacrifice as worthwhile, I think you are right that people really have to want and be willing to fight for this freedom. If they're not, then perhaps what they're seeking freedom in isn't truly something they need? Or if they're not willing to sacrifice to receive such freedom do they truly deserve it? You could think about it like shopping, you see something you really like and admire but you don't have money to pay for it, if you truly can't live without it you'll find a way to make money to buy it. If you don't think it's worth it you let it go. Similarly if people don't think working hard and sacrificing for certain freedoms is worth it why would they do it?
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