This year’s theme for the essays was “Let Freedom Ring!”

Editor’s note: The three essays published here were written by children who participated in Freedom Fest’s 2022 essay contest. The grand prize winner for the intermediate level is Jagger Benyamin, fifth-grader at El Toro Health Science Academy. The second prize winner is Karl Shreve, fourth-grader at Barrett Elementary. The third prize winner is Jennifer Wheat, fifth-grader at Barrett Elementary.

This year’s theme was “Let Freedom Ring!”

By Jagger Benyamin

Jagger Benyamin

In some countries, people don’t have the freedom to voice their opinion, but in the United States we have freedom but we still have laws. We are very fortunate to have freedom and have happiness. We should be grateful and not take it for granted.

Next, our military protects us from enemies trying to take our freedom away.  Imagine having an opinion but not being able to voice it. Also, in other countries people judge you because of your skin color.

Some countries don’t allow women to vote. I don’t think it’s right that they don’t get to vote just because of their gender. Also, people shouldn’t judge people before getting to know them.

Finally, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed all people should have freedom of speech and that “If one African American is not free, then no African Americans are truly free.”

That’s what I think “Let Freedom Ring” means.

By Karl Shreve

Karl Shreve

The theme, “Let Freedom Ring” reminded me of the song, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” It also reminded me of the Liberty Bell that didn’t ring like it was supposed to.  Sometimes life doesn’t go as it is supposed to, like the pandemic. We still have to be proud and thankful for our freedom and what we have.

The song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” shared different points in American history. These points include “Land of the Pilgrims Pride,” “Sweet Land of Liberty.” It describes many locations in our country where we are free and our Freedom Rings free.

The Liberty Bell was an important part of the history of our country, the bell was rung when the Declaration of Independence was read July 8, 1776. The bell was rung at Independence Hall in Philadelphia when it was first rung, it cracked. It didn’t ring like other bells. It has also been said the bell became famous when a story said the bell-ringer rang the bell July 4, 1776, after the vote for independence identifying our first 4th of July, our first Freedom Ring.

The pandemic has changed many things but, freedom is not one of them.  It changed how we go places, and how we dine and how we live our lives. It hasn’t been easy and we’ve lost loved ones and friends. We are making it through together and we are still free, so “Let Freedom Ring.”

We need to be happy that our lives didn’t get taken. We have our freedom and life to be thankful for. Our country has many things others don’t, like freedom.  We can be thankful we are safe and not at war like Ukraine is. We are safe in our own homes, in our own country. We are lucky and thankful we have people to fight for us and protect our country and state.

Lastly, we have to be thankful for what we have. We have to be proud and keep letting Freedom Ring by helping others, being kind, nice and brave.

By Jennifer Wheat

Jenny Wheat

“Let Freedom Ring!”

We have all probably heard that phrase at least once in our lives and how it was said by the famous Martin Luther King, Jr. He was an inspiration to people all over the U.S. and stopped segregation.  It’s been said over and over, but what do you actually think of the phrase? When things are said multiple times they are often overlooked. So, listen to what I think of the words, “Let Freedom Ring!”

Around 1865, segregation started. Black men, women and children were being told what they could and could not do, where they could not play. White people and black people were separated because of the color of their skin. Often, black people were poor because the good paying jobs were given to white people. And to make it even worse there was a hate group called the “Ku Klux Klan” also known as the “KKK” or “The Klan.” They assaulted and/or murdered black people. They would leave burning crosses on their victim’s property. They wore white robes and pointed hats to hide their identity.  Some black people would sleep with guns just in case they needed to defend themselves. This racism and hate were pretty normal back then!

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta. Martin Luther King, Sr., his father, was a pastor; Alberta Williams King, his mother, was a schoolteacher. Growing up, he went to segregated schools (which was normal). In high school, he skipped two grades which meant he went to college at 15 years old! Martin went to Morehouse College (which his grandfather and father went to as well) where he studied medicine and law. He also went to a graduate program at Boston University where he met his future wife, Coretta Scott. King and his wife made their home in Montgomery, Alabama, where he became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

During the bus boycotts in 1955, King started to be involved with the movement to give rights to black people. In 1957, he and other activists founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was also voted to be the president of the SCLC. He led many protests and was never violent. But, just because he was never violent didn’t mean people were nice or never violent to King and the demonstrators. Police attacked the peaceful demonstrators. King was also arrested 29 times for “… acts of civil disobedience and on trumped-up charges” (from “5 ½ Things You Might Not Know About Martin Luther King, Jr.”) Then, on Aug. 28, 1963, King made his most famous speech of all, “I have a

Dream.” And, in the speech came the phrase, “Let Freedom Ring.”

I think, “Let Freedom Ring” means everyone is equal. Everyone should have rights, and we should show that! We should let people know they matter and their rights have not been forgotten. We should try to do what King did, because he fought for what’s right and wanted freedom for everybody.  Even though people would call him names and put him in jail, he was still peaceful, loving and forgiving. And, just like a bell, we should “Let Freedom Ring” and let it be known that everyone is equal no matter the color of their skin!