Far too often the citizens of my country, the United States of America, take the freedoms we have, that are protected by law, for granted.  It may be a bit of a cliché, but I know that I am guilty of it as well.

While wandering the streets of Chicago on Sunday afternoon, I stumbled across the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, “the nation’s first museum dedicated to freedom and the First Amendment”.  The museum, which offers an interesting collection of more than a dozen multimedia exhibits in its small but impressive space, has been open for a little more than two years and charges no admission.

Browsing the exhibits, I stopped at one called “Close to Home”, an interactive debate that allowed museum goers to listen to the arguments of four individuals and then vote on the topic.  One that struck a real chord with me involved the banning of a book in a public library.  It made me stop and think of the events of late that I had been reading about, most notably, efforts by politicians, private citizens, and organizations to ban the sale of certain videogames.

I find it ironic that in a country that is so proud of its freedoms, that there are many that wish to restrict those freedoms arbitrarily; John Bruce Thompson comes to mind.  Jack is a Miami attorney whose license to practice law is under review by the Florida bar because of methods used fighting what he calls a “cultural war”.  While Mr. Thompson is certainly entitled to his opinion, I find it ironic that the amendment that he wishes to restrict by censoring videogames, is the same amendment that protects his right to petition the government to do so - ... to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Other countries are not afforded these freedoms.  Most recently, the municipality of Bekasi in Indonesia has passed a law ordering all students to study between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. with no TV or videogames allowed.  Police have been given the authority to enforce the law and if a student violating it, he will be banned from going to the mall.  This may seem relatively insignificant, but consider the repercussions: can an officer of the law now burst into your home because they suspect you or your child is playing videogames during the designated study hours?  It seems as though Orwell may have just been off by a few years.

That is why it is our duty as not only Americans but also as gamers to protect the freedoms we hold so dear, but often don’t appreciate.  I often encourage fellow gamers to join groups like the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) and Video Game Voters’ Network (VGVN); groups that help protect the rights of citizens.  The ECA is a non-profit membership advocacy organization for consumers of interactive entertainment.  According to their website, “the mission of the ECA is to give game consumers a voice and to ensure that elected officials hear their concerns and appreciate the growing influence of the gamer demographic.”  Additionally, the $20 (USD, $15 for military personnel and students) membership fee and offers you a slew of benefits that more than offset the membership fee.  The VGVN is “a place for American gamers to organize and defend against threats to video games by registering to vote and letting Congress know how important this issue is to the community”.  On their website, you can join to receive alerts about legislative movements in your area.  The site also makes it extremely easy though the use of online forms to contact your local, state, and congressional representative, and let them know you want your rights as a gamer protected.

Both of these organizations are fighting for your rights, but they cannot do it without your help.  Join them, read their websites and newsletters, and for maybe the first time take an active role in protecting your freedom.

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