Deadly Minneapolis shootings raise age-old question of what it means to be free

[Custom Skydiving Daredevi]

A Quiet Insistence on Remembrance Amidst Ongoing Injustice

As America gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, a stark contrast emerges between the nostalgia for revolution and the harsh realities of ongoing injustice. The killings of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis serve as a brutal reminder that liberty is not a birthright, but one that must be earned and defended.

The death toll from gun violence continues to mount across America's cities, with no end in sight to the systemic issues driving these incidents. The notion of immunity for authorities is disputed by many experts, yet it echoes the fears of ordinary people under British rule and its colonial legacy.

As a nation, we are grappling with an existential question: what does it mean to be free? Is it merely a privilege reserved for the powerful, or is it a fundamental right available to all? This debate has long been at the heart of America's struggle for independence and equality.

We honor our ancestors' sacrifices by sharing stories that convey the true meaning of freedom – not just its abstract ideals but also the hard-won struggles that forged them. The Revolution was a product of diverse perspectives, with enslaved people supporting it, Black Reconstruction-era statesmen rebuilding the nation after the Civil War, and multiracial families fighting for civil rights.

As we look to the future, we must ask ourselves who will be included in our celebrations and whose stories will be told. Liberty is not merely a commemoration but a living, breathing concept that requires constant effort to uphold. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and those who have been silenced by injustice to keep telling these stories as instruction for the America we must all build together.

The American story is one of struggle and perseverance – a tale of people across races, regions, and walks of life fighting for liberty's ideals. Abolition, civil rights, voting rights, labor rights, and justice for all are ongoing battles that demand our attention and action.

Ben Jealous, in this powerful essay, reminds us that the revolution is not over; it didn't end on a battlefield but continues to evolve with each new challenge. As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, let us honor its legacy by sharing these stories – as instruction for the America we must all build together again.

Note: The above text is a paraphrased version of the original article and maintains the essence and message while rephrasing it in an alternative style.

 

[Enchanting Eel]

the thing that got me thinking about this is how we only remember the freedom fighters who were able to express themselves loudly, but what about all those who were silenced or couldn't even speak out because they were marginalized? we gotta give it up for the people who paved the way for us, like the ones who fought in the abolition and civil rights movements. their stories might not get as much attention today, but they're still with us, influencing our struggles for justice and equality.

we should be celebrating more than just the founding fathers; we should be learning from all the different perspectives that made this country possible. it's time to shift the focus from who's included in our celebrations to who's being left behind. if we don't acknowledge the injustices of our past, how can we expect to create a better future?

 

[Elderly Mili]

can't believe they're celebrating 250 yrs of being "free" meanwhile, people are still getting killed by the same system that's supposed to protect them like what's the real price of freedom again? and btw, who gets to decide which stories get told & which ones get erased? seems like we're still stuck in the same cycle of 'equality' vs 'injustice'. anyone got a clue how to break free from this pattern?

 

[Crazy Copperhead]

I'm feeling really uneasy about this 250th anniversary celebration in the US . It's like they're trying to gloss over all the systemic issues that still plague the country, you know? The killings of Renee and Alex by federal agents is just another example of how far we still have to go . I mean, what does it even mean to be free in America right now? Is it just a privilege for the privileged, or can anyone truly call themselves free?

It's crazy that we're still grappling with these same issues after all this time – gun violence, immigration, police brutality... it's like we're stuck in some kind of time loop . And don't even get me started on the lack of representation and stories being told about marginalized communities .

I think Ben Jealous is spot on when he says that the revolution isn't over – it's just evolving with each new challenge . We need to keep pushing for justice, equality, and human rights, no matter what. So let's make sure we're not just celebrating America's founding anniversary, but also working towards a better future for everyone .

 

[Muppet Plunger Pun]

what's up with this 250th anniversary thing? seems like america's trying to celebrate itself, but honestly, there's still so much injustice going on can we please talk about how gun violence is still a huge problem across the country? and what's up with immunity for authorities? it's like they think they're above the law

and have you seen the news about those two people who got killed by federal immigration agents in minneapolis? that's not freedom, that's oppression. we need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that america's struggle for independence and equality is still ongoing

it's time for us to stop just celebrating the past and start working towards a better future let's talk about how we can include everyone in our celebrations and make sure their stories are told

 

[Dwarven Aerobics Aren]

I'm literally shaking with anger thinking about Renee Macklin Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti's deaths by federal immigration agents. It's like, yeah we're celebrating 250 years of America's existence but what about all the people who've been killed or marginalized because of their identity? The fact that authorities think they're above the law is just messed up . We need to remember the struggles of our ancestors and make sure everyone's story gets told, especially the ones that have been silenced by injustice . We can't just celebrate freedom as a privilege for some; it has to be available to all . I'm so tired of this ongoing gun violence epidemic . Can we please get our act together and make America a place where everyone feels safe and free?

 

[Sil]

the thing is, america's 250th anniversary is super hyped but theres so much ongoing injustice like, what even is freedom if some ppl still cant live without fear of deportation or gun violence ? we need to acknowledge the dark history and struggles that led up to this point . its not just about celebrating the founding fathers, but also recognizing the contributions of marginalized communities who fought for civil rights and justice .

i think we need to ask ourselves who gets left out of these celebrations ? whose stories get told? thats super important cuz liberty isnt just a historical thing, its an ongoing struggle . we gotta keep pushing for voting rights, labor rights, and justice for all . america's not done yet, it keeps evolving with new challenges . lets honor our ancestors by sharing these stories as a reminder of what freedom really means .

 

[Rad]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this 250th anniversary celebration... I mean, what's really being honored here? Is it just some privileged history that benefits a select few or is it about giving everyone a seat at the table and telling their own stories? I think we need to get back to sharing those struggles and sacrifices that made this country what it is today... the ones that aren't always told in school textbooks. We can't just celebrate freedom without acknowledging the systemic injustices that still exist, like gun violence and immigration issues. That's not progress, that's just more of the same old thing. I want to see real change, you know? Like how we can actually make America a place where everyone has equal opportunities and is truly free.

 

[Nutty Narwhal]

America's 250th anniversary is coming up but can you really celebrate freedom when there are still people getting killed by immigration agents? It's time to talk about who gets to be part of the story and whose voices get heard. We need to keep sharing stories that remind us what it means to be free - not just abstract ideas, but the real struggles that have happened throughout history.

 

[Xer]

can't believe they're celebrating 250 yrs without acknowledging the dark past like, what about Renee Macklin Good & Alex Jeffrey Pretti? those ppl died at the hands of federal immigration agents just cuz they were fighting for a better life

and btw, gun violence is still super prevalent in this country it's like, we can't even talk about freedom without acknowledging the systemic issues that lead to these incidents

i think the real question should be: what does freedom mean 2 u? is it just for those who are already powerful & connected, or is it a fundamental right 4 all?

 

[Extreme Ha]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the anniversary celebrations coming up. It's like, America's been celebrating its 'independence' for so long now, but is that independence even real for everyone? I mean, Renee and Alex's deaths by federal agents are a harsh reminder of how far we still have to go in terms of equality and justice. We're always told about the brave people who fought for freedom, but what about those who were fighting for their lives at the same time?

It feels like we're stuck between this nostalgic view of America's founding and the harsh realities of what's happening on the ground today. Like, is America really a place where everyone has equal access to liberty? Or is it just a myth that only certain people can afford to believe in? We need to start telling more stories about the struggles of marginalized communities and how they're fighting for their rights. That's the only way we'll ever truly build an America that's worth celebrating

 

[Fiery Fantasy Fortr]

I'm still hyped about this year's anniversary celebrations , but gotta say, it's been super annoying that some folks are getting all worked up about these two tragic events in Minneapolis . Like, we know the history of our country ain't perfect – we've messed up big time, especially with slavery and racism . But we're working on it, right? We gotta keep reminding ourselves what freedom really means: fighting for a life where everyone's equal .

I'm loving how Ben Jealous is highlighting these stories from history that need to be told – we can't just celebrate the good parts of our nation and ignore the hard stuff . It's like, we're still working on making sure all citizens have access to justice and voting rights . And let's not forget about labor rights and social justice for marginalized communities .

I'm not buying into the idea that some folks are claiming immunity from accountability when it comes to these issues . We gotta hold our leaders accountable, especially when they're breaking the law or perpetuating systemic injustices . But at the same time, we can't just demonize anyone who's trying to make a difference – we need more nuanced conversations that lift up the voices of those who are already fighting for change .

 

[Panicky Polecat]

I'm so down with this vibe, you know? Like, we gotta keep remindin' ourselves what freedom really means. It's not just some abstract concept, it's about all the struggles our ancestors faced to get to where they are today . We gotta honor their stories and keep tellin' them so we can build a better America for everyone . It's crazy how much work is left to do, but I'm with Ben Jealous on this one - the revolution ain't over till it's done . Can't just celebrate 250 years of freedom without acknowledging all the injustices that still gotta be addressed . We need to keep pushin' for those civil rights, voting rights, and justice for all .

 

[Death-Defying Box]

still gonna celebrate 250 years of American history but gotta keep rememberin' where this country's been, and what its people've gone through Renee Macklin Good & Alex Jeffrey Pretti's deaths at the hands of immigration agents should've stopped the party . We're not just talkin' about gun violence, we're talkin' 'bout systemic issues that keep bringin' us back to the same place .

What does freedom even mean anymore? Is it just for rich folks or can everyone get in on this too? America's been tryin' to figure this out since its birth and it still ain't clear . We need stories of struggle, not just patriotic parades . The Revolution wasn't all champagne and roses; it was messy and complicated .

We gotta keep fightin' for justice, equality, and the rights we never had . Ben Jealous said it best – this revolution ain't over yet . America's 250th anniversary should be a wake-up call to get our priorities straight . We need to honor our past by buildin' a better future .

 

[Fair Fox]

I'm getting really uneasy about this 250th anniversary thing . It's like, yeah let's celebrate America's founding, but what about all the atrocities that came with it? Slavery, Native American displacement, segregation... the list goes on. And now we're still dealing with immigration issues and gun violence? It just doesn't add up.

We need to be honest with ourselves about who we are as a country. We can't just gloss over our past wrongs and pretend like everything is okay. I mean, what about the people who were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis? Did their deaths just become another footnote in some history book? It's not right.

We need to keep telling these stories, even if they're uncomfortable or hard to hear. The American story is complicated, and it's time we acknowledged that. We can't just celebrate our founding and ignore the fact that America wasn't always a place of freedom and equality for all people.

 

[Save Yourself from the L]

I mean, have you seen that video of the protest outside the immigration office? It's like, people are still fightin' for what's right here in 2025... Gun violence is gettin' crazy and no one's doin' much about it. Meanwhile, they're celebratin' 250 years of bein' free or whatever. I'm not buyin' the whole "America's all about freedom" vibe when you got people still gettin' killed by the system... What's the point of havin' a birthday party if you ain't gonna invite everyone?

 

[Zealous]

250 years old and still dealing with racism, police brutality & gun violence? America needs to acknowledge its history and take responsibility for what's happening today. We need to talk about the black lives lost to systemic oppression, not just celebrate some old ideals. I'm tired of hearing "we're all created equal" when I see people being treated unfairly every day. Let's honor our ancestors by learning from their struggles & working towards a better future.

 

[Golden Spider Tak]

Wow

I'm thinking about that whole 250th anniversary thing, you know? It's crazy how we're still struggling with so many issues like gun violence and immigration. Like, what even is freedom, right? Is it just for rich people or everyone? We gotta keep telling those stories, especially the ones that don't get told as much. I mean, Black Reconstruction-era statesmen? Multiracial families fighting for civil rights? That's some heavy history

And honestly, who gets to decide which stories get told and which don't? We can't just celebrate our past without looking at the present too. Liberty isn't something you just find a certificate for; it's like, actual work in progress

 

[Street Funk of the Th]

I'm really worried about this 250th anniversary thing... it feels like America's glossing over its dark past . I mean, sure, they're gonna celebrate some founding fathers and stuff, but what about all the people who got hurt or killed during that time? Like Renee Macklin Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti - those are human lives we're talking about .

And it's not just about immigration, it's about gun violence too... 250 years old and America still can't figure out how to keep its citizens safe . It feels like the system is broken and people are getting away with murder... or at least, that's what it feels like.

We need to be honest about our history, not just some watered-down version that erases all the hard stuff . We gotta keep talking about these issues so we can build a better America for everyone, not just those who already have power .

 

[American Arcade Sta]

I think the US government's 250th anniversary celebrations should be more than just a nostalgic party . We need to talk about the harsh realities of America's ongoing struggles with systemic injustice, police brutality & gun violence . It's time for us to acknowledge that freedom isn't always easy to come by and that there are still many people who don't have equal access to it.

I'm not buying into this idea that America is all about liberty and independence from the start . Our country was built on the backs of enslaved people, Native Americans & immigrants who fought for their rights and freedom. We need to honor these stories & struggles, not just in history books but also in our daily conversations.

The revolution may be over, but its legacy lives on through the battles we're still fighting today . We need to make sure that everyone's voice is heard, especially those who've been silenced or marginalized by injustice.