Training our Minds

What is freedom? And what is liberation? This week in class we discussed two pieces which only further increased my curiosity to learn the answers to these abstract questions. However, I did learn that these terms not only are widely subject to different perspectives but also the crucial role they play in defining us as human beings. David Foster Wallace's "This is Water" and Bell Hooks' "Rethinking the Nature of Work" both opened my eyes to the strained relationship between people and the world we live in.

Dictionary.com has a whole list of definitions for freedom including "the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint". Wallace also addresses the fact that there are multiple conceptions of freedom which include "the freedom to be lords of our own tiny Wallace also addresses the fact that there are multiple conceptions of freedom which include "the freedom to be lords of our own tiny skull-sized kingdoms". However, he defines "real freedom" to be the ability to control yourself and pay attention to others. A freedom you have to fight yourself to obtain and exercise. This seems contradictory in the sense that you are limiting your own freedom. Wallace points out that it is human nature for people to be self-centered. I feel while people are all capable of caring for others, they definitely don't show it especially after the long and tiring day Wallace mentions.

The other piece, "Rethinking the Nature of Work", questioned the definition of liberation. Bell Hooks talks about how liberation is different for all women. Some women viewed work as liberation because they finally got a chance to get out of the home, while other women "quit working because the work they do is not liberating". Liberation is therefore all a matter of perspective and ideology. When people in general accept loss and take the easy way, they are inevitably risking the chance to reach liberation. So once again, we are stopping ourselves from reaching this liberation.

While trying to wrap my head around the meanings of these two words, I was able to realize that we hold the power within us to control the way we live and act. However not all of us choose to take advantage of this power, limiting us from our own freedom and pursuit for liberation.