free•dom /‘frēd m/

noun

1b liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another.

“Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? Cause I need freedom too!”

-Beyoncé

Freedom to me is being the person I am and wish to be. Not the person built off the system that seeks to exploit and destroy me. It’s being free to learn of other people, other cultures, other religions, without these things becoming burdens and walls separating me from other people. It’s about loving people and protecting people and being unified in order for us to not have to worry about any harm. It’s being free of the shackles of these capitalistic, right-winged systems, and being free to make good and healthy choices in regards to our body, our families, our communities, etc.

-Brianna Garcia, Coachella

Freedom for me means that I don’t have to follow the stereotype of staying home and being a mother. I can choose what career I want to do, it doesn’t have to be imposed on me. I should be able to do whatever I truly want to do.

-Yesenia Aguilar, Lamont