Growing Strong

At a time when freedoms were hard to come by but many were searching for, it had to have been only natural for early colonists to desperately search for someone or something to signify what burned passionately inside them. Crossing the Atlantic over vast miles that held danger and risk they wanted to escape the limitations their country placed on thier own personal religous and social beliefs. This was only the beginning of their freedom quest. These early Americans had to have had an innate calling fed by their natural born passions. Hopes, dreams, and a perhaps a dash of expectations, burned in their soul while coming on shore. So, when taxes and limits yet again were inflicted upon them, they took these acts personally. These taxes were attacks on their livelihood and their hopes of finding opportunity. When the British Parliament (who were located 3000 miles away) demanded more taxes to be paid in addition to their local governement taxes, people felt the light of liberty was threatened. They had no representation in the British Parliament for they had not played a part in electing anyone to represent them. The concept was too unfair to gulp down, especially after their long journey's and life altering decisions. Imagine squashing thier dreams in the midst of thier freedom celebrations. For many, they endured years of suppressed faith and hardships. In the midst, they clung to the liberty advocates and the symbols that represented their potential future.

Fairness and freedom is what the new colonists wanted and eventually demanded as groups of men formed and called themselves "Sons of Liberty". These groups varied in assortment but consisted of merchants, lawyers, and teachers to uneducated, poor workers. All of them held together with the common thread of opposition to Britain's treatment of the colonies. Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson were amongst the members and contridictory to some beliefs not all of them believed in mob violence. Without these motivated patriots, there were no other groups to represent the early settlers as effectively as the Sons of Liberty. Ground was gained when the popular Stamp Act was strongly opposed and eventually repealed.

The stoic Tree of Liberty stood in Boston during the mid-1700's as a symbol to represent what this new land held. Townspeople stood together under this huge elm's branches to discuss heartfelt beliefs. Soon many coastal towns and villages used their own trees or poles to signify the new found land of freedom. It shaded many conversations about obtaining and sustaining liberty. At a time when emotions and the drive of livelihood was high, this tree stood tall, proud, and growing strong.

What I would give to have the opportunity to look up from down below and gaze upward from it's trunk. To stand where the once passionate patriots stood and dreamed. Despite me never having this opportunity I will make a step towards recreating the fire that they held inside. This fire was not of hatred or violence but of preservation of fairness and freedoms. I want to plant the seed and grow such a tree that holds a new perspective of what Americans should acknowledge and appreciate. May the roots continue to grow deep within my family and heart to withstand winds of change and defiance.

"The First Amendment to the Constitution forbids Congress from passing any law abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble or to petition government for a redress of grievances. The Supreme Court has applied this limitation to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment."

Learning about this tree's existance and what it witnessed ignited my patriotism and my humble appreciation of what this country has given me.

The Sons of Liberty pronounced the Liberty Tree's being and role. While nurturing the deep emotions of individual liberties, they provided the insight that led to the birth of America. Thier daring approach and views allowed a window of option and new perspective, providing others an allowance to grasp freedom's definition.

This tree signified a place of opportunity. A gathering place to express the passions of potential pride and well being. Beneath it's branches, above it's roots they stood for a cause. Liberty.