I always answer: Fresh air。
我总是回答:清新的空气。
Five years ago, as I step off the plane from China, and left the terminal at Dallas Airport。 I was ready to put on one of my five face masks, but when I took my first breath of American air。 I put my mask away。
五年前,从中国来的时候,我准备了5个口罩。从飞机上下来,离开达拉斯机场候机楼时,我正准备戴上口罩时,吸入了第一口美国的空气,然后我将口罩收了起来。
The air was so sweet and fresh, and oddly luxurious。
这里的空气是那么的清新甜美,显得格外的奢侈。
I was surprised by this。 I grew up in a city in China, where I had to wear a face mask every time I went outside, otherwise, I might get sick。
我深感意外。我在中国的一个城市长大,从小出门都得戴口罩,否则就会生病。
However, the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport。
然而,在机场呼吸到这里空气的那一刻。
I felt free。
我感受到了自由。
No more fog on my glasses, no more difficult breathing, no more suppression。
我的眼镜上不再有雾,呼吸不再困难,也没有了压抑。
Every breath was a delight。 As I stand here today, I cannot help, but recall that feeling of freedom。
每一口呼吸都是愉悦的。今天我站在这里,仍然忍不住回想起那种自由的感觉。
At the University of Maryland, I assume feel another kind of fresh air for which I will be forever grateful — the fresh air of free speech。
在马里兰大学,另一种清新的空气也令我感怀不已——言论自由的空气。
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。
来美国之前,我在历史课上学到了独立宣言,但“生命、自由和追寻幸福”这些词句对我而言毫无意义。
I was merely memorizing the words to get good grades。
我仅仅是背下这些词句以期在考试中取得好成绩。
These words sounded so strange, so abstract and so foreign to me, until I came to University of Maryland。
这些词句显得那么古怪,那么抽象,那么陌生,直到我来到马里兰大学。
I have leaned the right to freely express oneself is sacred in American。
我终于明白,言论自由在美国是多么神圣。