lp， but recall that feeling of freedom.
At the University of Maryland， I would soon feel another kind of fresh air for which I will be forever grateful — the fresh air of free speech.
Before I came to United States， I learned in history class about the Declaration of Independence， but these words had no meaning to me— Life， Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.
I was merely memorizing the words to get good grades.
These words sounded so strange， so abstract and so foreign to me， until I came to University of Maryland.
I have leaned the right to freely express oneself is sacred in American.
Each day in Maryland， I was encouraged to express my opinions on controversial issues.
I could challenge a statement made by my instructor. I could even rate my professors online.
But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced when I watched a university production of the play— Twilight: Los Angeles.
Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King.
For six days， the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets.
In Twilight， the student actors were openly talking about racism， sexism and politics.
I was shocked， I never saw such topic could be discussed openly.
The play was my first taste of political storytel