What Does Freedom Mean To You?
Local barber Gilbert Lucas poses for a photo inside Ethnic Hair Care on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Cheyenne. “I ended up going to prison for a few years. I ended up doing a couple years in Torrington, and then I came out of Torrington, and I came to Cheyenne,” Lucas said. “I’d never been to Cheyenne, and that was the purpose, because I knew if I went back to Casper, most likely I’d probably be dead, either by my hand or another’s. Freedom, to me, means the opportunity to choose. It’s like a kid with a coloring book — there’s no boundaries, no outlines; there’s no yellow brick (road), you know. You can do whatever you want.”
As Tuesday’s general election approaches, it seems the word “freedom” is ever-present. Both political parties have tried to claim the word as their own, and each have very different definitions.
This project tries to answer the question “What does freedom mean to you?” A wide range of people throughout Laramie County were asked about their definition of the word, and each agreed to have a portrait taken.
Everyone got to choose where the portrait was taken and what they wanted to wear to ensure a completely unbiased approach to this project.
The takeaways of this project should be left up to each individual who reads the quotes and views the photos.
Laramie County Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Evans poses for a photo at his home on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Cheyenne. "To me, freedom is when the exercise of your individual rights is able to become practicable and not theoretical," Evans said. "Freedom, to me, is being secure enough either in your health, your income or your community that you are able to take good care of yourself and take care of other people. Freedom is having your needs secure enough to be able to pursue your wants, as well as your needs. Freedoms that are enshrined in our Bill of Rights and in our Constitution are not free from consequences from your action. Accountability is its own form of freedom."
Gunsmith and firearms instructor Dakota Wright poses for a photo in his garage on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Cheyenne. "Freedom is truly a balance. You can never truly have complete peace. Freedom is a subjective word, and it's been lost due to people's selfishness. I have the right as my child's parent to feel empowered to make a decision for my child without the fear of a doctor weaponizing the government systems against me. Freedom, to me, means a lot more because I have worn the uniform and signed a blank check, including the cost of my life. I will pay for the rest of my life for that freedom because I am permanently disabled. Freedom, at its core, is the ability to exercise your pursuit of happiness without any restrictions, so long as it doesn't affect anyone else. When you start affecting other people, it is no longer freedom, it is power. I ask every politician the same question: 'If you knew that I could execute you like we used to, for taking bribes, being a traitor or putting (your) selfish interests before the United States of America, would you still do the same things that you are doing now?'"
Attorney and owner of the Hell on Wheels Rodeo Company Cindy DeLancey poses for a photo at the Holland & Hart law firm and on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Cheyenne. "Living in the West, living in the wide-open spaces, it feels very free to be living in Wyoming," DeLancey said. "Being surrounded by immeasurable beauty and amazing wildlife. Wyoming, for me, is probably one of the last places where the impossible is possible."
Moms for Liberty Laramie County Chapter Chairperson Patricia McCoy poses for a photo inside the Wyoming Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. "When I think about freedom, I think about the cost of starting this country," McCoy said. "We, as Americans, take for granted the freedoms we are afforded every day. Freedom was given to us by God. Nobody can take that from us, not even our government. I'm a huge advocate for the Second Amendment, for good reason. I want to be able to protect my family, I want to be able to protect my neighbors. You can't do that if you don't have the weapons to do so. I know people say, 'AK-47s aren't needed for hunting.' They are if your government tries to take control of you."
Roman Catholic Diocese of Wyoming Bishop Steven Biegler poses for a portrait inside the Cathedral of St. Mary on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Cheyenne. "Freedom is not absolute, nor should it be used selfishly," Biegler said. "Personal freedom is a gift given by God, that a person might choose to serve God and love our neighbor. The freedom of speech, assembly and religion should be used for the pursuit of truth, justice and the common good."
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak poses for a photo in the sheriff's office on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cheyenne. "I'm really proud to be an American. This country is founded on freedom. Being in law enforcement for over 30 years, freedom has a lot of responsibility that comes with it. What's really important is you should be able to do what you want, when you want, but in a positive way and a way that doesn't infringe on other people's freedom."
Jeramie Lewis poses for a photo inside the Laramie County jail on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cheyenne. "There's different types of freedom. Obviously, I'm incarcerated right now. This type of freedom, to me, means my family. Being able to eat, drink, make decisions on my own. Being able to live in community and rise above what I've been through. We only got one life; freedom is everything."
Matthew Broyles poses for a photo in the Laramie County jail on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Cheyenne. "Being able to make your own choices about everything: religion, your sexual preferences, etc.," Broyles said. "Then dealing with the consequences of your choices."
The Rev. Elizabeth Mount poses for a photo inside the Unitarian Universalist Church on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Cheyenne. "Freedom at its core is a promise we make to one another to make enough space for each other to thrive," Mount said.
Former Cheyenne fire chief Jon Narva poses for a photo inside Fire Station 5 on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Narva said. "And, I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America and to the republic, united under the constitutional law. Thus, I pledge I will not be solely and selfishly enamored with my rights of protection from the government, but instead selflessly dedicated to my responsibilities of supporting and protecting the Constitution and laws of this republic so that all might enjoy their promised liberty and justice."
Rabbi Moshe Halfon poses for a photo at Mount Sinai Congregation on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Cheyenne. "Freedom, in Judaism, is a complex idea: We seek not only 'freedom from,' but it more important to have 'freedom to,'" Halfon said. "There is no freedom for one, if there is not freedom for all."