As a unique emotion of life, fear can do many things. Fear can anger us, drive our escape and cripple us in paralysis. Civilization has born a new type of fear among us: the fear to be free.

The movie “V for Vendetta,” released Friday, is a clear sign of this, presented to those who have the wisdom to see it. Our society is afraid — afraid to talk about truth, afraid to talk about change.

We are afraid to step down to the level of the rest of the world, to descend from our pedestal, from the backs of whom we trample.

We are afraid to allow any outside influence to interrupt the perfection of our utopian dream.

The evidence was revealed by 9/11. What was so terrible about this event was not how an invisible enemy attacked our shores; it was that the Klaxon siren of their alarm clock did not wake us up from our fantasy. Even five years later, society represses nearly all expressions of the truth.

One view of the truth leaked; “V for Vendetta” makes very clear allusions to our complacency. This is the source of its derision for various movie reviewers, because all the things society is afraid to talk about are in this film. Yet this movie differs from reality; in the movie, the people are repressed by forces that control them.

In reality, power to affect change is in the palms of our hands.

Just because a single political party possesses a monopoly over the three branches of government, this shouldn’t destroy the right to hold our leaders accountable. As the movie suggests, “People should not fear their government; government should fear its people.”

Just because the mass media speculates daily about bird flu’s threat despite a lack of solid scientific proof, the right to use our own judgment shouldn’t be destroyed. Just because Bill O’Reilly transmits his distorted opinion to a sizable fan base, his views shouldn’t destroy our right to disagree.

Why are we afraid as a culture to speak revolutionary ideas? Why are we afraid to express our displeasure in our government? Why are the clear signs we have been provided not enough to empower us to destroy corruption and declare our freedom?

Guantanamo Bay uses torture. The war in Iraq costs dollars and lives, financed by cutting our nation’s health and education. This administration has one of the lowest approval ratings in history, yet the Bush administration stands unmoved because we are afraid.

Sept. 11 had an effect, but not the effect it should have had. Instead of shaking off the trance of our prosperity for truth and justice, we have submitted to our creations. We have united within the fear to challenge our government.

We have surrendered the very things Americans should celebrate daily: the right to speak the truth loudly, the right to choose only good rulers and the right to live fearlessly.