The Essence of Freedom

The Black Panther Party presented itself as a genuine, political alternative, to the system that currently exists in the United States. They questioned the legitimacy and efficacy of the state by instituting a system of effective community programs as their primary political work. These programs undercut the authority of the state by exposing the systemic inequalities.

However, the foundations of this country suggest that is the right of the people to be able to question the authority of the state if it is failing to act on behalf of the people. To quote Thomas Jefferson,

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect[effect] their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

Thomas Jefferson considers it just as humane to alter or abolish an inept government, as it is to spend time suffering under the reign of said government; if one is human enough to also understand that it is their human right to guarantee themselves safety and happiness under the government of which they have given their consent to govern, they can abolish the former government and form a new one. He does suggest that it should not be for futile reasons, a logical sentiment.

In light of the recent events, it would be simple to see how such effective political reasoning would be crucial.

Now not all people who provide community services or goods wish to form a new government. As expressed by Bobby Seale in 1969, there are some people who wish to work with reform programs implemented by their current state as a means of effecting community change. However for the Panthers, these reform programs simply weren’t enough, and since their ideological platform is (or was) one based on revolutionary change, they had to be actively working against the imperial government they wished to change.

The American government has managed to create many shortfalls for itself. For many years, the American people have been sold a promise that the state has not delivered on. The promises of equality, justice, and freedom. In particular, people of color in this country have suffered gravely. The system is now being run so well, that it even seems as if our government is attempting to start a racial civil war. The efficacy at which the police force are able to eliminate the lives of US subjects. The fact that the system is so effectively corrupted that men (humans, as in mankind) can get away with murder. In front of our very own eyes. How could one not feel a sense of hopelessness? They have decisively chosen a time when we are beginning to recognize the need for not only black unity but American unity, to pick us apart. To divide us with violence. America is a war machine. We have been bred this way and revolutionary groups like the Black Panthers have been trying to unite the people and show us a way out for years.

Factionalism, agent provocateurs, effective retaliation from the state, and ideological division have kept the people from being united for centuries. It may be too late.