The American Way: Freedom The heart of the American calendar is July4 Americans have celebrat- ed-this date as "Independence

The American Way: Freedom
    The heart of the American calendar is July 4. Americans have celebrated this date as "Independence Day" since 1776. On this holiday, parades, picnics and fireworks create a festival atmosphere. Red, white and blue ribbons mimic the colours of the "stars and stripes". Patriotic speeches remind Americans of their heritage. But July 4 is more than a "national holiday". It represents the heart beat of America: freedom.
    Ask the average American, "What is freedom?" You will probably hear, "It’s being able to do what I want to do. "When Americans think of freedom, they often think of individualism. They see themselves more as individuals than as members of a family or social group. American - style democracy tries to protect individual rights. It also promises each person the freedom to make choices. People in other cultures may not understand this emphasis on individuals. Stressing individual human rights seems strange to culture where the rights of society are more important.
    Privacy is one good example of individual rights. Personal freedom in American often means the right to one’s own space. In many American homes, each child has his or her own bedroom. Parents feel they should knock before entering. When Americans want to visit friends or relatives, they usually call first. They don’t want to invade someone’s privacy, even if they know the person quite well. Also, in some cultures, people have strong ties to their" extended family". They openly share time, money and information with their kinfolks. Americans, on the other hand, prefer to keep many "family matters" private. Likewise, individuals may not want to share private information in everyday conversation. If a stranger asks about their salary, age, marital status or religion, American might feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.
   In American culture, freedom also implies equality. The Declaration of Independence states that "All men are created equal". That does not mean equal in abilities or status. For Americans, equality refers to equal worth and equal opportunity. Every individual should have an equal chance to improve his life. True, America has not always lived up to that ideal. For many years, Native Americans, African Americans and immigrants have protected their unequal treatment. But American culture still teaches that people can work hard mid fulfill their dreams. Whether this idea is true or not, people hear rags- to- riches stories often enough to confirm it in the minds of many.
    Freedom arouses strong feelings for Americans. The idea of liberty binds people together in this "Land of the free". However, problems still exist. One individual’s freedom can conflict with rights of others. Someone once said, "You have the freedom to swing your first around if you want. But your freedom ends where my nose begins. "People can also be- come too concerned about their own rights. They might demand special treatment. No, the path to freedom is not completely smooth. Even so, for Americans, no other road is really worth travelling.