BRILYN HOLLYHAND: Gen Z, It’s Time We Start Acting Like We Deserve The Freedom We Inherited
When our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago, they didn’t do it for clout. They did it knowing they were signing their own death warrants. They risked everything—land, family…
When our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago, they didn’t do it for clout. They did it knowing they were signing their own death warrants. They risked everything—land, family, future—because they believed in something bigger than themselves: the idea that liberty is worth dying for.
Today, we honor that courage with TikTok dances, viral trends, and backyard cookouts. Don’t get me wrong—I love fireworks and a good hot dog as much as the next guy. But let’s not forget that July 4 isn’t just a party. It’s a reminder. A warning. And for my generation, a wake-up call.
Because here’s the hard truth: We’ve inherited more freedom than any generation in history—and we’re wasting it.
We scroll past headlines about the First Amendment being shredded, biological reality being redefined, and unborn children being discarded like trash—and we shrug. We treat patriotism like a costume we wear on the Fourth and toss back in the closet on the Fifth. We’ve got college kids burning the flag while enjoying the very freedoms it represents. Some even call the American Revolution “colonial oppression,” as if they’d prefer to be ruled by a king who didn’t even have WiFi.
It’s embarrassing. And it’s dangerous.
We’re told America is the problem. That it’s broken. That it’s irredeemable. But here’s what your professors won’t tell you: the American experiment—flawed and imperfect—is still the greatest leap forward for human freedom in world history. The problem isn’t America. The problem is a generation that doesn’t know how to defend it.
We think we’re “the resistance” because we post a snarky infographic. But real resistance isn’t virtual. It’s sacrificial. Our Founders didn’t risk their lives for “likes”— they risked their lives for liberty. The least we can do is live like we deserve it.
That starts with knowing what we’re fighting for.
Freedom isn’t just an abstract idea. It’s the ability to speak your mind without fear, to worship your God without compromise, to raise your family how you see fit, and to choose your leaders without asking a king. In America, power comes from the people. That’s still revolutionary.