Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage

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At an earlier session I watched a Brazilian man sing a lullaby accompanied by a drummer from Bangladesh. They spoke no common language, and would never come together outside of the storytelling sessions, as the social groups in the centre are defined by nationality and language. Through stories and song, the two men were able to share something aside from the fact that they were both incarcerated for an indefinite period in Oxfordshire. Campsfield House in Oxfordshire detains over 200 men who are waiting for a decision on their legal status in the United Kingdom and facing the possibility of deportation. Half a dozen of these men and two professional storytellers are sitting in a circle in a small room off the main yard. They have come to hear traditional stories from around the world, one of several activities available to punctuate the tedium of detention. There is a man from the Punjab who is around 60 years old, but the other men are all in their late twenties or early thirties. The storyteller on his feet is a small man with a white pointed beard, a maharaja moustache and a topi on his head. His face is lively, his eyes playful and voice energetic. As a graceful creature well-adjusted to the environment yet decides to live on its own terms, the Cat is a fitting descriptor for freedom and independence. Another bird-related symbol of freedom, birdcages often depict the loss of freedom or something that restricts movement and life.

Although she doesn’t exactly hold a torch and tablet in her hands, Libertas is depicted with the same countenance as our Lady Liberty but often sporting a Pileus or Laurel Wreath and holding a wooden staff – said to represent the liberty pole used in manumission ceremonies. 7. Two Golden Fish In many countries, parakeets are sold as pets and often kept in cages, which is considered a bad omen by many. These birds are meant to fly and it is not good to keep them caged-in for any reason. The A within a circle is one of the most widely recognized symbols of anarchy. This political ideology is founded on the promise that all hierarchies form oppression, making it a fantastic way to symbolize your freedom. The Statue of Liberty was first conceived as a symbol of friendship between France and the United States, but its meaning has progressed to something more than just that.

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Doves have always been referenced in many other cultures, particularly in times of war, as a symbol of respite and the ultimate hope of freedom. The charming mythical creatures that we all know and love have always been personifications of beauty, fantasy, sensuality, and even deception. So as the embodiment of freedom in the US (and, by proxy, anywhere else in the world), the Bald Eagle is considered a fierce hunter with no known natural predators. Thirdly, it is the bird that represents the United States, which is a county that prides itself in being the land of the free.

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” – Charlotte Bronte Eagle A vigilant and self-reliant creature native to North America, the Bald Eagle observes everything from high up in the sky and only swoops down when there’s an opportunity. We all yearn for the Open Road at least once in our lives, and although it isn’t ideal to abandon our responsibilities and head out, the intense feelings of freedom and detachment it brings are second to none. Doves also have a deep meaning and symbolic representation in the Bible. They are depicted as the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The phoenix is a mythical bird, but still one that represents freedom. The phoenix has died in a fire, only to rise from its ashes. The phoenix is used to symbolize a powerful rebirth, renewal, and immortality.

Set not long before the Civil War, Nolen's latest picture book portrays the inhumane subjugation of the enslaved Wheeler family, particularly the young brother and sister, John and Millicent, in an ageappropriate way while also illustrating their heart-felt desire for emancipation. After their parents are sold from their plantation, the children are forced to do the work of adults from sunup to sundown while holding on to the “seeds of freedom” planted in their hearts and minds. The poignant imagery of slaves flying away like birds to make themselves free resonates with Millicent and John even more deeply once they rescue a large crane that was injured by the overseer of the farm. After learning of John’s impending sale to a plantation further south, the children decide to “make themselves free” and follow the bird west to deliverance as a mysterious storm keeps their pursuers at bay. Ransome's saturated, realistic paintings highlight the siblings’ fear and determination, humanizing their suffering while underscoring the bravery it took to seek liberty. A moving choice for children's collections. -- Booklist