U.S. of A.

Have you ever stopped and really paid attention to the things that you were doing and people you were interacting with, places you were and have been, and things you were saying?

This morning I was in my JL MC 110 class and we had a wonderful guest speaker that really made us look at things in perspective as it relates to the First Amendment. She shared with us that 40% of Americans don't even know what their five freedoms are that are expressed in the First Amendment - that's scary! As citizens of the United States, we should know these and should base some of our morals and values off of them.

You're most likely saying, "Well Lauren, if you're accusing us of not knowing them, why don't you share them with us." So I will. Here they are - directly from the Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Think long and hard about this - picture life without the ability to say what you wanted, go to church (or not) where you wanted, share what you wanted on social media, vote, or help the government make decisions through our elected officials - it's hard to imagine isn't it? As I was sitting in class, I couldn't wrap my head completely around the idea because I've grown up in it, but I'm grateful that I live in the U.S.A. because we have the rights and privileges that many people across the globe don't. I certainly don't want it to ever change - government interference is good at times, but otherwise, it's our right that we make decisions and help guide where we want the United States to go.

It's important that we have these rights in agriculture - we need to be able to speak up on behalf of the industry and promote a positive image. We need the right to peaceably protest and petition the government for the producers and consumers both - to help promote the end product we are trying to create in a safe and wholesome manner.

This past week, our nation celebrated Veteran's Day, which made the guest speaker in class seem very appropriate for the week. We paused and reflected upon the fact that we have so many blessings - people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for us so that we may live in peace and may raise and grow the food the world needs us to. Our job as producers and advocates is to make sure that the world is fed and that consumers know where their meals are coming from. And that's why I'm proud to live in the U.S.A.

#usa #firstamendment #freedom