Independence and Freedom

250 years ago members of my family helped found this great Nation. The first Walker in my family to be born in the new world was Thomas Walker born in 1654. According to several family tree websites, I am also a descendent of the Lee Family of Virginia, which means I had two members of my family sign the Declaration of Independence. Take some time to think about what fighting for freedom looked like back then. Today the people of Minnesota don’t think twice about bundling up in their tech gear and going out in winter for recreation. Those brave men and women didn’t have the clothing we have today. Some had no shoes or gloves but they still fought. Many of them had very little food to survive on, but they still fought. 

When we finally won our independence from England our Founding Fathers wrote some of the most eloquent documents ever. As I have said before in another post, the most important words in The Constitution to me are WE THE PEOPLE. But when you continue there are other phrases that are just as meaningful. Insure domestic tranquility, promote general welfare and secure the blessing of liberty are the ones that stand out today. 

Our forefathers understood what it meant to take care of one another as that was the way of life back then. Neighbors looked out for neighbors. Was there class warfare back then, absolutely. There was the rich, the poor and then the slaves. If you really dive into history, even in 1776 there were members of our newly formed government that thought slavery should not be allowed. 

In 1814, our national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key. I get chills at every event I’m at where it’s played. It’s a symbol of our pride in America. The last line of the song is the most important to me: “the land of the free and the home of the brave. Francis Scott Key was talking about the country and the soldiers in the War of 1812. I think about how those words are used today. 

I believe that we should all be free to be who we are, to love who we want, to praise any God we choose to. We should all be free to choose whatever political ideology we want to follow. We should be free to make medical choices about our own bodies.   What I don’t believe that it means we are free to hate those that we don’t agree with. We shouldn’t be free to hate the other political side because we disagree with them.  

The home of the brave…. Be brave enough stand up for what you believe, be brave enough to stand up to tyranny, be brave enough to stand up to protect other’s civil rights and above all be brave enough to be who you are. 

I want to be brave enough to represent all of the people in 31A, even when it makes others angry. I want to be brave enough to have the hard discussions about topic that aren’t easy to talk about let alone fix. I want to be brave enough to stand up for my neighbors who trust me enough to represent them. 

When I look back at what my ancestors did to make this great country, I realize that I will never be at their level. I can never sign the Declaration of Independence. I hope I never have to fight to hold the Union together. What I can do is be the best representative this 31A has ever had. I can represent my neighbors before I represent a caucus. I can make sure that you have a voice in St. Paul from someone that wants to represent the entire community.

With that, I hope all of you have a great 4th of July, Independence Day. Be safe and say hi when you see me out and about.

Brian Walker