I can't really remember a time when there was freedom in America.

The declaration of independence and constitution was largely meant to express 'unalienable rights' only to the rich, white, male, land-owning class (a strata largely considered, at the time, the people which God had in favor). Mere political revolution only emancipates the people insofar as the people are in the same condition the revolutionary class is in.

Just put "for the white, male, bourgeoisie" in front of the 'unalienable rights' expressed by the US' founders and you can explain the enslavement and subjugation of the colored, the worker, and the woman.

Social reform since then has been a blessing in many ways, but we still have a long way to go to really consider us a 'free' peoples. At least on the level to be considered true to humanity's 'unalienable rights' conferred to them by nature and God.