AMERICUS — Our roving reporter was about yesterday, or should I say, out and about, asking locals what they felt like Indenpendence meant? It is kind of a good question to ask, seeing as it is the 4th of July weekend.

There is the typical answer and then not so typical answer. I won’t let his secret out of the bag - you can read Tuesday’s print edition for the answers.

When I think of independence or the definition, illustrations from being a child pop into my head.

I grew up in Plano, Texas. A semi-typical child of the 1970s, I always enjoyed playing outdoors with my best friend, Devona, who was two years older than me. We used to ride our bikes, play in the creek, beg to ride my sister, Donna’s horses, play with the dogs and the cats and whatever else stray animal we might have at her house or mine. (My brother, Glen, had snakes and a pet alligator one time!).

It was a neat time for us.We were the Punky Brewsters of our days.I We were kids having fun.

And our parents allowed us to express ourselves in whatever way possible - as long as it was ethical and clean.

Devona and I were loud. Shoot, I think all of my siblings, except for Glen, and all of Devona’s siblings were loud.

One particular event that comes to mind - an illustration of what freedom means to me - was when our church, Murphy Baptist Church, in Plano, held a Backyard Vacation Bible School in this neighborhood where there were “just a group of people who had built houses in a subdivision where there weren’t a lot who were members of a church.”

It was the summer before we moved to Georgia, so I was eight years old. I had gotten baptized the December before, and my mother made me tell my testimony.

Okay, so she didn’t have to make me, because I didn’t mind talking or sharing about anything.

... nothing changes ...

I remember sitting in the circle on the grass, and Mom looked at me and said now was the time.

Looking around at some of the kids who were in the circle - some of them older, younger and most strangers - I got this weird feeling in my tummy.

I wasn’t sure why.

I had spoken in church on several occasions and starred in school plays (I was one of the Trash Can kids in a Sesame Street play at school and was Mopsy in Peter Cottontail.), and never met a stranger. I may not always say things that are poignant or have a meaning or trying to be vain, I just like to talk.

So, what was going on? Was it because we were across the road from the famous Southfork Ranch where the show Dallas was filmed? (BTW there is a real JR in that story. His name was JR Duncan. But that is another story.)

I looked at my mom, and Devona who was nearby, and my older sister Tracey was there too. (Some of these pictures in my head may not be exactly what happened, but was close.)

And then, something happened.

I started to talk about Jesus and what it mean to be with Him, but then it hit me.

Freedom of speech became very alive for me at that young age.

Maybe that is why I hit the journalism field full force.

Do you know that we all have the right to share our views, our thoughts, and more, right or wrong, through the media, as long as those views, those thoughts are not dangerous, unethical, slanderous toward another person or entity? But even then, people do share those types of views on the Internet and through media outlets other than a newspaper.

We’re lucky. No, we’re blessed to live in the country that we do.

Which is why I am writing this column today. I have a favor to ask of you. Let’s exercise our freedom.

We have what is called an editorial board, and that board accepts submissions for guest columns, guest editorials and letters to the editor on a daily basis. That board shares their thoughts through the “Our Opinion” section on this page. At the same time, they reserve the right to edit what you, our friends, neighbors and readers, submit.

Over the last year of being a part of the ATR staff, I have had the pleasure of getting to know you. I have been stopped at Wal-Mart, Harvey’s, Winn Dixie, Fred’s, the bank, church, and even having dinner with friends by a lot of you expressing concern over issues not only in the newspaper but in the community.

You’ve shared story ideas as well. I love it when you do that and want you to continue - some of the stories we have written(me and the others on our staff with approval and guidance from our executive editor) that you enjoy the most reading come from when you all write, call or stop us in town. I even have people sending me messages on Facebook with ideas.

Robert Griffin(our newest staff member) is out and about too, and he likes hearing from you too, as we know our publisher (Dan) and our boss(Beth) do! Robert reminds me of a a junior Fred Flinston and I mean that in a complimentary way. So, if you see him, you will know him.

We’re here to serve you. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor or middle class or if you are white, black, Hispanic, Indian or what, this newspaper is here for you.

We try not to play favorites, though sometimes, if it is a choice between a cute kid eating ice cream or a mug shot of a criminal, well, I won’t tell you my choice.

But there is one way that we want to serve you more in and that is allowing you to express yourselves as said in an ethical, non slanderous(lying), gossipy, way. So, send us your opiinions in a letter to the editor or like a column like this one.

No, there is no pay for you, but the benefits could be outstanding. You might find someone who shares the same thoughts, you might helps a friend or neighbor out. You never know. And you don’t have to be a writer or a journalist or even an English teacher.

If the column or letter is accepted by our board(and please note to add authenticity to the letter or column, real names must be signed and for our purposes a phone number must be given), then there is a chance it will be published.

Take a chance. You will experience a sense of freedom and even a little bit of pride if you do.

Freedom, freedom. (Oh yeah, can anyone tell me what the name of the song is or the artist who performed it, where the chorus is ‘Freedom, freedom’ over and over? It is stuck in my head!)

Looking forward to hearing or reading things from you!

Have to go now, Robert is opening the box of TNT Poppers that we got at the local dollar store. I guess it is time for a break.

Wow ... talk about freedom ... acting like a child at our ages ... it is all in fun.



Becky Holland is the news and education editor of the Americus Times-Recorder and can be reached at becky.holland@gaflnews.com or by phone at 924-2751.