True Freedom Honors the Common Good / The Chief of Police, Vol. XXXVII, No.2

America must continually honor, cherish, and celebrate our freedom.  It was purchased by solemn sacrifices, especially by those who offered the ultimate sacrifice abroad and at home.

Our flag proudly flies in our communities across the nation as a tribute to freedom - the "land of the free and home of the brave".

Even now, with the challenges of our times, America is reminded to focus on its destiny — a light of democracy, freedom, and liberty for the world.

Unprecedented Times in America

Despite our imperfections and the crisis of the virus, America has much to celebrate compared to the war, conflict, violence, and violation of human rights taking place internationally.

Yet, we currently have severe problems of violence, racism, police-community division, and the heartbreak inflicted by the coronavirus.

America’s Hallowed Principles

As affirmed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, “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 assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The five freedoms expressed in this amendment are sacred to Americans as they are the bedrock of our democracy and liberty.

We must continually celebrate these freedoms - the heart of America’s legacy.

These freedoms are front and center at the nation’s greatest debates. But, as the coronavirus continues, we must be mindful of what true freedom is.  

True freedom is the responsibility of doing what is right morally and ethically, not only for ourselves but for society. We must do unto others, as we would have them do unto us.

Due to the current national crisis, the call of our times is to protect the common good.

We do have personal freedoms. Yet, our freedom must never violate the rights of others, and specifically their right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Freedom, properly understood - must always honor the health, safety, and welfare of our neighbor, and their rights respected, upheld, and preserved.

Freedom Demands Justice for Others

To better understand the response necessary to our current public safety crisis, we must review the timeless philosophical wisdom of Thomas Aquinas on justice, as memorialized in his Summa Theologiae.

Aquinas teaches that the human person is inherently relational, and our actions impact others.

Every act is relational and must always be guided by the moral principles of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

Specifically, justice demands that we render each one in society what they are due by the natural law, and civil law.

Justice is a virtue due to others. It expresses itself by honoring the security and safety of each person, all of whom have a legitimate right to justice.

The seat of justice is in the will, but it must be expressed through action, and it must never be violated by selfishness, ignorance, pride, or arrogance.

Justice is expressed through respect, humility, and honoring the rights of our neighbors.

Although the philosopher Thomas Aquinas formulated his principles on freedom over 700 years ago, they stand as indefatigable, and apply to America now.

America will only defeat the coronavirus when we honor the common good, and remember that freedom is inseparable from the responsibility of serving justice. 

Final Reflections

We must abide by the demands of our national emergency, and practice without compromise - social distancing, avoiding contact, personal hygiene, and wearing masks. This is a matter of justice, one of the moral principles critical to society.

The emotional spectrum of this hot-button health crisis will continue for the foreseeable future. Many see coronavirus, and personal decisions on how to respond, as a protection of freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment.

But, we must have in thought, word, and action, that the common good and public safety is paramount, and inseparable from true freedom. A unity of effort throughout America, respecting the principles of justice, is mission critical to remedy the crisis.

We must vigilantly abide by medical professional guidelines to protect ourselves, families, neighbors, communities, and our nation. We must live by justice without compromise.

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America.  

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and former confident of the New York Yankees. 

Vincent served as spokesperson for a coalition of victim’s families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. 

His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries.  For more information: vincentbove.com or Twitter -@vincentjbove  

Note Well: 

This article was published in The Chief of Police Magazine, Summer 2020 edition, Volume XXXVII, Number 2 and distributed hard copy by the National Association of Chiefs of Police to police chiefs and law enforcement nationwide.  

It is also posted in The Sentinel, the online site and newsletter of Vincent J. Bove, to facilitate access.

Photos

1. Seattle Police and Fire Departments (Courtesy Seattle PD Twitter)

2. NYPD Officers (Courtesy NYPD Twitter)

3. New Orleans Police Department funeral for Officer Sharon Williams, died from coronavirus. (Courtesy NOPD)

4. True Freedom Honors the Common Good, as published in The Chief of Police, Summer 2020 edition