The Subjectivity of Freedom (article)

Soft brown chestnut eyes dramatically described the helplessness and vulnerability of the little survivor as he gazed silently at the strangers surrounding him. Except for the subtle movement of innocent eyes, he remained motionless and mute. This was Elián González’s first taste of freedom. His mother and nine other companions would not be as fortunate. The tragic loss of these and countless other human lives remains a cold, somber monument to a vague, illusive abstraction known universally as freedom.

Throughout history the human species has willingly endured hardships, sacrifices, and death to achieve and retain this precious ideal. Proudly, America portrays her founding fathers as courageous, altruistic pioneers struggling to build a new humanitarian society based on autonomous sovereignty. These immigrant visionaries were among the first to bear witness to the concrete manifesta-

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tions of the sacred abstraction. As it spread beyond the boundaries of its infancy, expansion enabled individual subjectivity to dilute and distort original meaning. Now, each subsequent generation inherits a definition proclaiming hedonistic entitlement without accountability. The freedom of the past is now just an antiquity. As pilgrims of the modern world continue to risk all for the opportunity to live in this utopian ideal, more branches of subjectivity and intolerance reach out from its diverse, multi-layered foundation.

It was an unwavering belief in this awaiting paradise that prompted a desperate mother to ignore dangerous conditions, and, with her son in her arms, flee to this, the land of freedom. On the other side, relatives were waiting to embrace these newest members of emancipation. But now, her frightened child trembled and sobbed alone in a frigid, sterile healing facility. As he rubbed his swollen eyes, an “angel” appeared offering him comfort and protection. He pressed himself tightly against her beating heart as she cradled him lovingly in her arms. As dawn’s first light broke through the darkness, it revealed not one, but two, wounded “children” still clinging tightly to each other.

This traumatized innocent would soon find himself at the center of a bitter custody battle. As it unfolded before a global audience, each participant would actively employ the abstract concept of freedom as their weapon of choice. Subjective definitions were narrow, self-serving, and powerfully resistant to change, as each player reflected an inner reality while shaping a personal meaning of freedom.

Quickly, battle lines were drawn as individuals, cultures, and countries gravitated to one of two sides in what would prove to be a highly emotional drama unfolding daily before the critical, probing eyes of the world. This simple concept called freedom would be pushed, pulled, crushed, and attacked as multiple authors attempted to force compliance to multiple definitions.

On one side of this equation are relatives who had previously fled Communist Cuba to seek sanctuary in this, the land of freedom. Among them was Elián’s “angel” of mercy, Marisleysis González. Instantly, this distant cousin became the vulnerable lad’s surrogate mother and primary supporter. With honest intentions, this outspoken advocate cried “freedom” for the traumatized youngster, although unable to see the blurring of boundaries that separated his needs from her own. In the flurry of activity and passion of the cause, she remained blinded to the simplicity of his basic needs. She failed to realize that Elián’s only need was to hide in the warmth and the safety of loving female arms. She appears oblivious to the fierce, dramatic reactions erupting within her, as old wounds reopen and begin to bleed. This frightened young woman displays very little trust in the outside world. Lacking a sense of safety, she attacks first, before she is attacked. As all attention focuses on her and Elián, she thrives as they perform in the center ring of the media circus. As she begs for the boy’s freedom, the familiar echo of a utopian paradise is again present and standing the way of reason. Like the self-absorbed adolescent, she demands her rights and freedoms. The limelight is hers, and the rights and freedoms of others do not matter because they are trying to take them from her. She wants, and most of all, she needs to keep Elián with her. Unfortunately, the void that this small victim fills for his female lifeline is at best, only a bandage to provide some temporary relief. Because the environment is an unhealthy one, although genuine, Marisleysis’ heartfelt emotional bonds cannot compensate for the unhealthy environment that requires much more than her motherless child can provide.

The Miami relatives and the population of Little Havana bring specific, political motivations to the playing table. They are united in one shared obsession; the hatred of Fidel Castro and of Communist Cuba. As rational thought is lost to emotion, Elián becomes a pawn used to strike a blow against the ruthless dictator. Freedom is regressed to a cheap tool used to gain advantage over the enemy. As the game escalates into one of winning at all costs by annihilating the enemy, desperation and frustration increases and the potential for violence runs dangerously high.

The American government and media are located on the other side of this controversial battle. Janet Reno, one of this administration’s most powerful people, finds herself thrown into the eye of the hurricane. Unfortunately, the Attorney General remains a hostage of her freedom of choice from her own past. She is still haunted by memories of the bloody events of Waco, Texas. Her fears and regrets have compiled, and now, stubbornly retard her ability for swift and decisive movement. The resulting loss of control manifested itself as avoidance, as she repeatedly failed to enforce the firm deadlines and demands issued by her department. Elián’s trauma increased daily,

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as confusion and stress heavily weighted the atmosphere of the Little Havana home. Now, like a defiant child and indifferent parent, Marisleysis and her community quickly learned that government threats were empty and would not be enforced. Reno’s credibility was now damaged and all future words would fall on deaf ears. Increasing trauma for the child survivor and prolonged agony for all involved, is a direct result of Reno’s self-imposed prison.

Enjoying what appears to be the most unrestricted freedom of all is that of the media. Insatiably they devoured this traumatized child by exploiting him while he still held the interest of the public. There seem to be no boundary lines forcing an end to their freedom and a beginning to their responsibility. Elián became an overnight sensation, cleverly labeled and sold as a desperate refugee seeking sanctuary from a life of oppression. This seeker of freedom was instead just a commodity used in the name of capitalism and free enterprise. When the blood from this victim begins to wane, it will be on to new hunting fields and fresh prey. Unfortunately, because the pile of flesh will no longer bring profits, they are free to abandon him without looking back.

In this fruitless quest to make freedom an individual panacea, the rights and freedoms of Juan González, father of Elián, are ignored due to lack of sensationalism. Although he has joint custody and appears to be a competent and loving father, he has committed the unforgivable sin of living in a Communist country and of being unremarkable.

These many definitions of our simple concept called freedom effectively confuse and complicate its historical origins. The color of freedom reflects conflict and war, pain and suffering, sacrifice and blood. It is an unending merry-go-round of hope and despair. Safety is only a temporary lull in the storm. Was the intention to give freedom to all? The freedom to speak and be heard? Freedom to have a fair, objective trial? Freedom to raise children? Freedom to be protected from crime and slander? Freedom to live where one chooses? Extravagant displays can temporarily distract, but to remain blinded is to walk a path of apathetic compliance and complacency. “Give us your tired, your poor, and your hungry” and we will exploit you. “Come to these shores and taste freedom” — well, freedom for some. Welcome to America.

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