Learning as liberation: Reflecting on the meaning of freedom

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Equity Corner by Tracie Noriega

September 16, 2024

In June, I wrote about the word “critical” and connected the definitions to examples in education. September is Hawaiian History Month and Latinx Heritage Month. For many of Filipinx descent, like myself, Sept. 21 marks the anniversary of when dictator Ferdinand Marcos established martial law in the Philippines, thus inciting a wave of immigration to the United States.

With all that September holds, the aspect of liberation comes to mind. Let’s break down the word “liberate” and the notion of liberation with examples of historical events.

A simple Google search of the word “liberate” results in the following definition of the verb: set (someone) free from a situation, especially imprisonment or slavery, in which their liberty is severely restricted.

The Google search also included “liberated” as an adjective, which is defined as:

(of a person) showing freedom from social conventions or traditional ideas.
(of a place or people) freed from imprisonment, slavery, or enemy occupation.

The word, “liberation,” a noun, is defined as: the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.

The words “liberate,” “liberated,” and “liberation” have Latin roots in the word “liber” which means, “free.”

“Free” is an Old English term with Germanic roots. It is defined as:

not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes.
not or no longer confined or imprisoned.

Liberate = To Free; Liberated = Freed; Liberation = Freedom.

A pretty simple concept, right? What comes to mind for you?

In Ethnic Studies, we study critical concepts specifically from the point of view of one of the four core disciplines: Native American/Indigenous Studies; African-American/Black Studies, Latinx/Chicanx Studies; and Asian-American/Pacific Islander Studies.

Now that we have some simple definitions to ground us, let’s discuss the concept of “Liberation.” Here are some guiding questions to consider as I share some historical events: Who gets to be free? Who decides who is free and who is not? What does freedom mean? Who decides what freedom means?

Who gets to be free? Who decides who is free and who is not? What does freedom mean? Who decides what freedom means?

From the discipline of Pacific Islander Studies, Hawaiian History Month started in 2020 by the Hawai’i Pono’i Coalition. Hawai’i Pono’i, translates to “Hawai’i’s Sons.” The coalition was founded in 2007 by a number of Native Hawaiian organizations to educate others about the true history of Hawai’i and the Native Hawaiian People. September was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Queen Lili’uokalani, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Do you know how Hawai’i became the 50th state? In 1893, Queen Lili’uokalani and her government were overthrown by 13 American (White) businessmen and sugar plantation owners. They plotted to take the islands as Queen Lili’uokalani wanted to revise the Hawaiian Constitution that allowed for the sugar industry to profit. The U.S. military supported the coup of the first female ruler of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. After the takeover, the new Republic of Hawai’i began to enforce the banning of native Hawaiian language and practices. The American press published racist caricatures of the Hawaiian people depicting them as savages. Hawai’i became the 50th state 60 years later in 1959 after many failed attempts. The push for statehood was met by resistance by many Americans, as well as Native Hawaiians who to this day continue to fight for sovereignty. One hundred years after the coup, the U.S. government formally apologized to Native Hawaiians for overthrowing their kingdom, taking away their rights to self-determination, and ceding 1.8 million acres of land without consent. The formal apology did not include any plans for compensation. Currently, there are 14 military installations on the islands and the U.S. military owns 5.6 percent of the state. On the island of Oahu, there are reported fuel leaks from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel storage facility. These leaks have adversely affected the health of thousands of people.

Who gets to be free? Who decides who is free and who is not? What does freedom mean? Who decides what freedom means?

Also from the discipline of Pacific Islander Studies, we can look at the experience of the island of Guam. Liberation Day is commemorated annually on July 21 to celebrate the end of the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II. In 1944, the U.S. military forces invaded Guam and were able to take back the island that the United States had taken possession of from Spain in 1898. But 1944 was not the first time the island of Guam was taken over by the United States. The Treaty of Paris in 1898 was the end of the Spanish-American War. The treaty outlined that Guam and Puerto Rico would be ceded to the United States by Spain, who had control of the island since 1668. Guam continues to be a United States territory that holds two military bases and is considered to be a critical U.S. stronghold for military strategy and an outpost for power in the Pacific. Here is a chronological breakdown:

1668-1898: Occupied by Spain. 1898-1941: Occupied by the United States. 1941-1944: Occupied by Japan. 1944-present: Occupied by the United States.

People born on Guam are considered U.S. citizens and are able to serve in the military, though they cannot vote in federal elections nor do they have full rights under the Constitution.

Who gets to be free? Who decides who is free and who is not? What does freedom mean? Who decides what freedom means?

Ethnic Studies was created as a field, as a discipline, to dismantle racism and many other “isms.” It is a means towards freedom and liberation, but who gets to be free? Who decides who is free and who is not? What does freedom mean? Who decides what freedom means?

You may have heard the saying by activist Lilia Watson, “Our liberation is bound together.” She meant all of humanity. So how do we get to liberation? How do we get to a place where we are all free? First, be aware when the words, liberate, liberated, and liberation are weaponized and why. Then (and I’ll keep saying it), learn what principled Ethnic Studies is. Teach principled Ethnic Studies. Lead with principled Ethnic Studies at your core. Teach and lead FOR Ethnic Studies.

Tracie Noriega is ACSA’s senior director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Professional Learning Services.