In America, the concept of freedom is sacrosanct. We wear it like a badge of honor, invoking it in defense of our choices, our beliefs, and our very way of life. Yet, too often, our conversations about freedom focus only on what we are free to do, ignoring an equally critical dimension: what we are free from. True freedom, as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution, is not just the ability to exercise our rights but also the assurance that we are protected from forces that would strip those rights away.

Freedom From Disease

The Preamble to the Constitution promises to “promote the general Welfare,” a commitment to collective well-being that includes public health. Diseases like measles, polio, and pertussis–once nearly eradicated–are resurging, largely due to a rise in vaccine hesitancy. This resurgence doesn’t just endanger the unvaccinated; it threatens those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, including infants and immunocompromised individuals.

Governor Patrick Morrisey’s executive order to roll back immunization requirements in West Virginia, along with President Trump’s withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization, undermines critical public health infrastructure. These actions not only weaken our ability to combat preventable diseases but also erode the trust and collective responsibility necessary to protect vulnerable populations. Such decisions jeopardize the foundational commitment from our founding fathers to public welfare, leaving communities at greater risk of disease outbreaks, societal disruption, and economic disparities.

The West Virginia Catholic Diocese has chosen to uphold a strong immunization policy, even as some elected officials, such as Governor Patrick Morrisey, have sought to weaken vaccination standards. As Bishop Mark Brennan stated, Catholic schools in the state will continue to enforce current immunization requirements to protect students and the broader community. This decision reflects a commitment to prioritizing health and safety over political decisions that risk public welfare. By standing firm on this issue, the Diocese demonstrates leadership rooted in moral responsibility and public well-being, serving as a model for other institutions in times of political and public health uncertainty.

When we allow misinformation to dictate public health policy, we undermine freedom for all. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children may claim they are exercising their freedom, but their decisions place others at risk, infringing on our collective freedom to live without the fear of preventable disease. The law carefully balances personal freedom with the health and safety of others, ensuring that individual choices do not come at the expense of public welfare. Freedom, in this context, must include freedom from preventable illness and the societal chaos it brings.

Freedom From Oppression

The Constitution’s Thirteenth Amendment abolished practice of forcing people to work against their will and treating them as property and its Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. These provisions underscore that freedom includes liberation from systems of oppression. Yet, oppression persists in various forms: systemic oppression, economic inequality, and discrimination based on sex, to name a few.

Governor Patrick Morrisey’s decision to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in West Virginia, along with Donald Trump’s rollback of federal DEI programs, exemplifies the ongoing struggle against systemic barriers. These actions erode critical frameworks that address disparities and promote equitable opportunities. By removing these initiatives, marginalized communities are left more vulnerable to discrimination, perpetuating inequities that undermine the principles of justice and fairness. True freedom requires proactive measures to dismantle these structural inequities and ensure liberty for all.

Being free “to” pursue life, liberty, and happiness is meaningless if systemic barriers prevent certain groups from accessing those rights. True freedom requires dismantling these barriers so that all people are free from the structural inequities that limit their potential. As Martin Luther King Jr. aptly said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Freedom From Religious Imposition

The First Amendment establishes a clear boundary: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This dual guarantee ensures freedom of religion, but also freedom from religion. It means no one can impose their beliefs on others through law, policy, or coercion.

Yet, we see increasing efforts to blur this line. A society that forces religious beliefs upon its citizens–whether explicitly or subtly–is not a free society. To honor the Constitution, we must defend the right to personal belief while ensuring no one’s freedom is curtailed by another’s personal faith.

The recent decision by the West Virginia Water Board to allocate $5 million to an out-of-state organization with “extreme right-wing” (as described on their website) religious affiliations raises serious concerns. Public funds should not be used to advance sectarian agendas, especially when such actions violate the principle of separation of church and state. These decisions undermine trust in public institutions and threaten the religious neutrality guaranteed by the First Amendment. True freedom to exercise religion and from religious imposition ensures that no individual or group is compelled to live under policies dictated by another’s faith, especially when it comes to the law of the land.

The Balance of Freedoms

Freedom is not absolute; it is a shared contract. My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins. This balance is embedded in the very fabric of our democracy, ensuring that individual liberties do not infringe upon the collective good. Freedom “from” is as vital as freedom “to.” Without freedom from disease, oppression, and imposed beliefs, the promise of American liberty remains unfulfilled.

As citizens, we must recognize that true freedom is not just about what we are allowed to do but about the protections that allow us to live fully, safely, and equitably. Let us reclaim the true meaning of freedom, ensuring that we–and generations to come–are not only free to pursue our dreams but also free from the forces that threaten them.

(Gale is executive director of the West Virginia Women’s Alliance)