Liberty Versus Freedom

In a previous column I mentioned that "as the United States celebrates, I find this a time for quiet reflection. In fact, for me, it is a time of mourning" pertinent to the Fourth of July. Consistent with that reflection and given the word "freedom" will be thrown around to excess today, I would like to pontificate on the term a wee bit. However, even more so, I wish to examine a word often confused with freedom; and that is "liberty."

Liberty is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views," while freedom is defined as “The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.” Before reading any further I want you, the reader and thinker, to marinate in that definition just like those ribs you have in the refrigerator that have been marinating overnight. Ruminate. Contemplate. Cogitate and investigate.

As an Alkebulanian, Black Man in the United States, I view the world through that lens; just like a white boy views the world through his. Par for the course, I have had European-Americans scold me with the statement "everything is not about race!" The stupidity of such a statement is nothing less than spectacular.

In all fairness, I have even had some "people of color" that have drank way too much laced Kool-Aid make the same statement, albeit very few. In either case the statement is equally anthemically stupid on top of being magnificently ignorant given the history of Black People in the United States; past, present and, likely, future. In fact, it is intellectually vacant.

Black People in the United States are the only people that have ever constantly talked about "freedom." My Original American ancestors did not, and do not though they have been relegated to open-air prisons in their own land. Asian-Americans don't talk about "freedom." Latin-Americans don't talk about "freedom" No other group talked about, and sought, "freedom" more than Black People in the United States. The pathology and the nexus as to why this is so is obvious and if I must explain that you have absolutely no business reading this column, for you are lost and this is not the place you want to stay. 

The point I am making is that Black People in the United States have sought the wrong thing for freedom is a European construct, whereas "liberty" is universal. The European-American speaks of liberty. He has a statue named Liberty. He has said "give me liberty, or give me death." Patrick Henry did not say "give me freedom, or give me death." Thomas Jefferson said, of liberty: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”

The man said “natural manure.” Let us pause. In reverence.

Black People in the United States have "freedom" to an extent in the sense that they somewhat have "the right to act, speak, or think as they want" but they do not have liberty. We are not "free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views." As a result we know names like Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Emmett Till, George Stinney, Atatiana Jefferson, Rodney King, Latasha Harlans, Jordan Neely, Jordan Davis, Andre Hill, Ahmaud Arbery, Eula Love, Ron Settles; the list is endless. The same lack of liberty is why every Black Man in the United States that stands up for his people and seeks "liberty" is murdered. In essence, the Black Person in the United States has been bamboozled and hoodwinked, for freedom without liberty is louche; and everybody knows it, but you.

I shall now provide bulletproof, ironclad, airtight, hermetically-sealed proof of my previous observation.

Legendary Senator Barry Goldwater said: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

Benjamin Franklin said: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." 

Thomas Paine said "He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." 

Emma Goldman said "The ultimate end of all revolutionary social change is to establish the sanctity of human life, the dignity of man, the right of every human being to liberty and well-being." 

Bertrand Russell said "Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate." 

Samuel Adams said "Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can." 

Frank Herbert said "Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty." 

Henry David Thoreau stated it beautifully when he said "Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves."

So, on this day I say this to you Black Person in the United States 'Dico tibi verum, Libertas optima rerum; Nunquam servili, sub nexu vivito, fili.' Or, in the words of Harriet Tubman "I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other." And finally, and most seminally, was Toussaint Louverture who said "I have undertaken vengeance. I want liberty and equality to reign in Saint-Domingue. I work to bring them into existence. Unite yourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for the same cause.

Liberate your mind, to free your ass.