It is so easy to take things for granted.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the everyday dilemmas of our lives that we fail to realize just how fortunate we are to have some of the privileges we do as Americans.

Yesterday, I talked with several sophomores at Brandywine High School about some of these privileges that I am guilty of taking for granted almost daily.

These students have spent the better part of their week celebrating the U.S. Constitution in their civics classes, and I had the opportunity to speak with them about my favorite amendment on National Constitution Day Wednesday.

As I was preparing my presentation, I did a lot of research about press freedom and freedom of expression in different parts of the world. I looked at some of the big news stories we have covered in my time here at Leader Publications, and some of the issues that are getting a lot of buzz in national news outlets. Then I looked at countries with limited press freedom and compared the news stories in those publications — who reporters were able to attribute to, how balanced the content was, etc. — to our own coverage.

It was certainly an eye opener.

Obviously I was aware that America is unique in its freedoms, but it was truly a humbling reminder of why we as journalists do what we do. I read article after article about journalists in the Middle East who have been beaten, jailed and tortured for their attempts at reporting on the stories that matter to their people — the same thing we do every day.

Students in the classes seemed to be pretty surprised by this, too. One pointed out that social media makes it so easy for students to assert opinions about issues that they take for granted when there are people all over the world who are not allowed to do the same.

We live in a country where our opinions are not only permitted, but encouraged.

We are asked to vote in elections to pick the leaders in our government. Our government is made up of political parties in order to facilitate debates and force those leaders with opposing viewpoints to address issues from every possible perspective. Newspapers like those published here at Leader Publications solicit opinion through letters to the editor and online comments in order to encourage discussion in the hopes of eventually resolving conflict and create a forum for new ideas.

As we move into election season, I encourage voters to recognize these freedoms and take full advantage of them. If you disagree with a political standpoint, write us a letter. If you are unsure who to vote for, attend a debate. Do research on both sides of the ballot. If you have an opinion, do not be afraid to state it. If you see an issue that you think the community deserves to know about, contact me or your local community editor so we can investigate.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.