They're doing exactly what you've done.
I decided I want to write this post because as the rallying cries of the Black Lives Matter movement have amplified, the first thing I have noticed in those that oppose is their hypocrisy. As I hear the movement's sounds, see its images, and listen to its voice I think, "Wow. Good for them. Look at them being American." But those against them do not see it. To me, it is all ironic.
This country was born out of the Age of Enlightenment; a time of movement away from the dogmatic practices of religions and authoritative states and towards a rational, scientific understanding of the world. From it, the scientific method emerged. Instead of taking a person of power's word for what is true, we can experimentally identify the nature of things. Truth is identified by the individual through rational discovery, then spread through dialogue. This thinking was politically revolutionary at the time because it conflicted with the monarchical nature of Europe's then present governments. There was often a monarch, backed by a religious institution, which largely decided what was right and wrong, true and false. Those under their rule did not have much power to disagree, a popular example of this being Galileo Galilei. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Catholic Church for supporting the heliocentric model of our solar system.
This thinking and top down power structure started to come into question by political philosophers of the time like John Locke. If understanding is not innate, what right do monarchs have to force theirs on anybody? The answer -- none. It is the right of the people to discover what is right and wrong for themselves. They also started to question why the state had so much power and ponder what the relationship between a state and its people should be. Influenced by the philosophical thinking of the time, American revolutionaries had an answer. It is the job of the state to protect and serve the people while they themselves hold all the power. This thinking is laid out explicitly in the American Declaration of Independence, one of the first documented symbols of American ideals.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –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 effect their Safety and Happiness."
It is quite clear - governments derive their power from the governed. People, when dissatisfied with the current government, have the right to alter or abolish it. If this was not enough, let us refer to the more succinct Gettysburg Address.
"and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Our government is centered around people. This is nothing more than a speech? How about our constitution, more specifically the Bill of Rights. Each amendment is specifically designed to give the individual power and protect them from their own government.
Separation of church and state. Freedom of speech and press, the right to assemble and petition the government.
The right to bear arms. [I feel I need to spell out the fact that this was designed to enable people to defend themselves from their own government with force in the event their voice is not heard and are instead being physically oppressed.]
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner...
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures...
No person... shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law...
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State...
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved...
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Read carefully, these amendments clearly protect the people from the very government which they are a part of and they are that which American freedom is derived from. Fundamentally, they provided a profound paradigm shift in moralistic thinking and power structures. America, from its inception has been a country in which the people matter and have the power. At our root, we are a country of people.
What I find interesting is that you can talk to almost any white American and they will [mostly ... maybe?] know this. It is taught to us, ingrained in us. I had to memorize each of these documents. To them, I stated the obvious. But what I ask them is if it is so obvious, why can't you see how American the Black Lives Matter movement is? Why can't you see how American it is any time a person of any other race speaks up and says "I matter"? They are exercising their right to voice themselves. Their right to petition their government. Their "right ... to alter or to abolish [their government], 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 effect their Safety and Happiness."
I am by no means an expert on this movement, but from what I sense, it contains some of the same emotions America's founders had when pulling away from Great Britain. "I am not being heard." "I am being silenced." "I am not happy with the way things are." "I am being oppressed." "I do not feel like I matter." There are parallels in the actions too. The use of voice and the written word to expound their personal truths. Petitioning of the government and public institutions. The expression of grievances (you think the movement has too many? Please refer to those spelled out in the Declaration of Independence against the then present King of Great Britain). The use of symbols to create unity. Even acts of violence when it is clear they are not being heard.
Side Note: For those condemning the riots, white America has historically done the same. Here's a list of physically violent acts performed by white Americans because they were dissatisfied: Wilmington Insurrection, New York City Draft Riots, Southern Bread Riots, and Shay's Rebellion just to name a few. Each had some form of militarization or mob rule where blood was shed or property damaged. So don't be so conceited to believe you would never do the same. Your history suggests otherwise. "A riot is the language of the unheard" - MLK. This is not a black problem, this is a human problem. You don't want the riots? then listen.
I say all this because as mentioned, I believe the Black Lives Matter movement is quite American. But also, it hurts me to see a group of people expressing themselves, working towards the same freedoms and sense of safety that my country fought to obtain for me, working towards a life fulfilled and saying they matter, just to be shot down by the very country that claims to be the land of the free. It is quite clear that not everybody in this country is free, nor are we all equal. The simplest proof I have is that movements like Black Lives Matter still exist with plenty of support. If the people most involved in the movement don't feel free, then they are not free. If they do not feel equal, then they are not equal. If they do not feel like their lives matter, then there is something out there that says their lives do not matter. My job is not to argue, it is to listen.
I genuinely believe this country can live up to the standards that it setup for itself; to be a country and government of people, for people, and by people. To truly be United in all aspects of the term. But, it is clear we still have work to do. While the word "equal" is in our Declaration of Independence, its definition has never been clearly understood with the depth and nuance it deserves. We got it wrong from the beginning with slavery for heaven's sake. What's more, we are only two hundred and forty-four years old. We are a young country and it would be naïve to believe there is no longer progress to be made; let's not be so presumptuous in claiming greatness and remember there is still a lot to learn, a lot of life to live, and much we can do to be better. Our goal should be growth, not perfection.
Now, I do understand that there are plenty of differences between this movement and the American Revolution. There are levels of oppression embedded in its history, a black history, that white Americans cannot possibly fathom and are responsible for perpetuating. My goal has only been to show there are similarities too. The human spirit is a beautiful thing and when it realizes its fullest potential, wonderful things can, and have happened. My hope moving forward is to continue to work towards the greatness that America claims to have. To work towards deeply understanding the words equality and freedom we hold so dear. To support those who do not feel heard or feel they matter and work to help them experience the freedom and equality this country promised them. America, in my opinion, was established with a great foundation. Let us continue to build upon it.
The strength and presence of the Black Lives Matter movement is a sign of a place where we, as a country, have work to do and I cannot help but imagine they feel many of the same things that America's founders did. As much as I am sad that the black community has had to wait this long to experience the same sense of freedom that I have been born with and that they still have a ways to go, I also feel excited for the day that they realize that which they crave. It will be a beautiful moment and I cannot help but want to support them on their way to it.
Before I close, I want to say I understand the topic at hand is a very heavy one. There are emotions revolving around this movement that are so large and complex that it is impossible to quickly capture them all. The movement is also not a monolithic entity and should therefore not be treated as one. Lastly, it centers around a subject, race, that is very emotionally charged. I do not believe that is reason to ignore it though. I personally am an extreme novice when it comes to discussing race. I am privileged enough to have been born white into a white system and could therefore afford to be blissfully ignorant. As I hope my blog's theme can attest to though, I do not enjoy ignorance and am therefore trying to learn how to have such conversations. I am working to understand my contributions to racism, so please do not be afraid to call any of them out. Work by everybody needs to be done and I plan to do my part. With that, thank you for reading. It is greatly appreciated.
Enough is Enough,
Stephen Hunt
Comments