Understanding the Power of Repeated Narratives in a Free Nation
In a country that holds liberty and justice as its highest ideals, it’s hard to imagine how lies can ever be accepted as truth. Yet, history and recent times show us that when a falsehood is repeated enough—on TV, online, or in our conversations—it can start to feel real, even if it began as a simple untruth.
We are taught from a young age that the United States is built on the values of freedom, fairness, and a commitment to what is right. We look up to our founding documents and leaders, believing that honesty and transparency guide our society. So how, then, do lies ever manage to take root and become accepted as facts?
The answer is both simple and troubling: When people hear something over and over, especially from those they trust or admire, it becomes familiar. Familiarity breeds comfort. Before long, the lie doesn’t sound so strange—sometimes, it even replaces the real truth in our minds. This is how conspiracy theories, rumors, and misinformation can spread so easily, even in a nation that prides itself on justice and freedom of speech.
It’s not just about having the freedom to say what we want; it’s about the responsibility to seek out what’s true and to question what doesn’t add up. Liberty means we can speak our minds, but it also means we have to be careful and thoughtful about what we believe and share with others. Justice means treating each other fairly, which can only happen when the truth is respected and upheld.
When lies are allowed to grow without being challenged, they can distort our sense of reality and undermine the values we cherish. They can divide us, cause distrust, and make it harder for us to work together as a nation. That’s why it’s so important to be curious, to ask questions, and to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable.
In the end, liberty and justice depend on our collective commitment to the truth. By staying vigilant, questioning what we hear, and valuing honesty, we help ensure that lies don’t become the new reality, and that our nation remains true to its founding principles.
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 