Define Freedom

[Ahneeahm]

What IS Freedom? What does it mean to be free? What is the objective of the so-called 'freedom struggle'?

Because except that we have a clearly defined, comprehensive and tangible OBJECTIVE in the midst of all this, we will continue to allow the adversary to define our objectives for us and lead us along the path that he prefers for us.

That is to say, that unless we understand collectively what exactly our desired destination is, the african-american will continiuosly be fooled into thinking that he is 'progressing' in this land. To progress is simply to move further along the path, and closer to the destination. Theyve kept on telling us that weve been progressing more and more as time goes by but it seems to ME as if things are getting WORSE...so if we are truly 'progressing' here in america i would have to pose the question 'To where?'

The man is gone the woman is gone the children are gone the neighborhood is gone the air is gone the food is gone the water is gone...LOVE for one another is gone, respect for the elders is gone trust in your leadership is gone....almost EVERYTHING has been completely destroyed in the midst of the black community. Things seem to have been getting progressively WORSE for our people since we have arrived in this land, yet somehow they have convinced our people that its all getting better by DEFINING these concepts of 'freedom' 'progress' and 'liberation' for us.

So before we get into all the complicated discussions about revolutionary warfare and socio-political guerilla tactics n whatnot, it is of a NECESSITY that we as a people seize the Power to Define our objectives.

So the question remains; what is freedom? what are you fighting for? what would you define as progress? what is your conceptualization of redemption, or deliverance from this evil?

[rebelAfrika]

You have expressed a very deep philosophical question that I have been asking myself lately. Every point you've made here is something I have been seriously contemplating for the last couple of weeks.

I'll even take your inquiry up a notch. Is the reason we cannot come up with a "collective" definition of freedom because there is no such thing as "collective freedom?" Is freedom IN REALITY something only that the "individual" can achieve? Not too long ago I would have STAUNCHLY opposed the very thought...but now-a-days, it is a question that I am openly raising.

[Pragmatic]

For twelve years, I served the white man. I loved the white man. The white man was far removed from me though. In my sincerity to be apart of his White solidarity. I cleaned up his toilets. I made his beds. I cleaned her shower drains. I studied very hard and had crazy qualifications . They still advanced "the click" of people who were up on the priveledge and solidarity. . . right in front of face. I did everything I could, to show myself I was dedicated to advancing, and standing out. I then I hit the wall, GOD willing.

And then the Constitution showed up on me..

Art. 2 section 5

Clause 5: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President


Then Amendment 13

1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,

Then Amendment 14

.."But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.


Lately, GOD willing I figured out Amendment 14 makes me a Second class citizen. There's no priveledges and immunities for previous conditions of servitude. As you will see in Amendment 15

1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.


Amendment 15:

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.


I can no more be a Second Class Citizen, than I could be a Second Class Christian.

If I allow myself the comforts of these freedoms; than to follow up on your questions, it would seem into "heaven with the fools" John Hendrick Clarke.

• What IS Freedom? What does it mean to be free? What is the objective of the so-called 'freedom struggle'?
  
  
  
  Because except that we have a clearly defined, comprehensive and tangible OBJECTIVE in the midst of all this, we will continue to allow the adversary to define our objectives for us and lead us along the path that he prefers for us.
  
  
  That is to say, that unless we understand collectively what exactly our desired destination is, the african-american will continiuosly be fooled into thinking that he is 'progressing' in this land. To progress is simply to move further along the path, and closer to the destination. Theyve kept on telling us that weve been progressing more and more as time goes by but it seems to ME as if things are getting WORSE...so if we are truly 'progressing' here in america i would have to pose the question 'To where?'
  
  

Peace be upon you

[Im The Truth]

Fairly simple question. The objective has to be Pan-Africanism. The moment you think they definitions are of any importance you are doomed. Sadly this is the truth for many of our people but that's the job of freedom fighters to change the thinking of Our People. So those who see themselves as awake or conscious or etc can not falter to the enemies way of thinking or feel in anyway their definitions are acceptable.

[nattyreb]

Complete disengagement from all forms of oppression. Self-determination in every way that impacts our daily lives globally.

Great topic to build on!

[Empress Yetzion]

Freedom is relative to that you want to be free to do…savages are free to oppress everyone melanated and uphold their Caucasoid supremacy but in this case that is clearly an antonym to the term.

I think there are basic Free-domes every person MUST have and should tolerate no other substitution. We the Black and Beautiful should be free to

Gather without disturbance from fascist policing and to organize for our betterment

We WILL use our freedom and right to bear arms as a mechanism of self defence against political power that brutalizes us

We MUST have the “freedom” or better said control of Our education and advancement and the historical truths of our Race WILL NOT be denied

Freedom of movement without restriction of boundaries and Visa regulations especially in Black nations of Afrika, the Caribbean and Latin America

Freedom to boycott reactionary yellow journalism and the right to produce Pro Afrikan press that is honest and informative of world events and our rights

Self-determination of our genuine Afrikan Spirituality and religion, speech and thought without interruption from whitesupremist Chrazy - insanity or fabricated fundamentalist ArabIslam



Freedom is social living …like the Burning Spear song goes

Bless

[Sourakhata]

Freedom is the right for total self-determination as opposed to uniformization. Nature herself abhors 'monoculture'. When a species prevails some disease or pest is certain to appear. That's what happening in our days.
Freedom is diversity, variety & cohesion, freedom is balance & wisdom. Freedom is when you are appeased with yourself, when you can move unrestrained, freedom is when you cut lose with the brainwashing you've been exposed to since childhood, freedom is independence & self-sufficiency, freedom is the celebration of life, freedom is life, freedom is a beautiful word & a tangible reality.

[Majadi]

Truth put it the best for me, my objective is Pan-Afrikanism, an all encompassing concept that for us as a people includes complete, (NattyReb) Self-Determination. This is why Kujichagulia is my favorite of the Nguzo Saba! My daughter just loves to hear me say it, We have to determine our own destiny. To do that we must have absolute power to define our selves, in all arenas...that is freedom. Even if we screw up...at least we did it, and not someone else!

[freedom4me]

greetings all

I've been trying to define what 'freedom' means to me. I'm watching and reading the posts here.

peace

[Sourakhata]

"Freedom! You askin me about freedom. Askin me about freedom?
Ill be honest with you. I know a whole more about what freedom isn't
Than about what it is, cause I've never been free.
I can only share my vision with you of the future, about what freedom is.
Uhh, the way I see it, freedom is-- is the right to grow, is the right to
Blossom.
Freedom is -is the right to be yourself, to be who you are,
To be who you wanna be, to do what you wanna do. "

Auntie Assata

[rebelAfrika]

You see? NO collective definition...so maybe it is an individual thing.

[nattyreb]

i think we can find points of unity within all that's been written, so much of it is similar, IMO.

You see? NO collective definition...so maybe it is an individual thing.

[Eka]

This is the one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.....we all ask that question what do we want? Are we really free?.......just like beauty, its only in the mind of the beholder.....our people don't feel oppressed, but they are.....I don't feel oppressed, I feel free......we make our destiny......some people just don't know how......

[Empress Yetzion]

i think we can find points of unity within all that's been written, so much of it is similar, IMO.

Many thanks for your positivism sistren.

I also like you want to be as encouraging as possible in this struggle and I always want my words to uplift my people to believe we can accomplish anything. However we all need to acknowledge reality.

WE WILL NEVER BE FREE IN A WHITE SUPREMIST SOCIETY

We have to learn to put aside fear of the unknown and strive to attain true freedom as concentrated armed and trained masses.

Our Brothers and Sisters need to know the skills in construction, engineering, agronomy, all life sciences and skills to aid us in self-sufficiency. Why? We must consider Repatriation! Africa is riddled with turbulence. Peoples of all races but Black Africans are immigrating and claiming our mother land. They are installing agendas that will only enslave and exterminate us further so that they can enjoy the richness of the Black Race. What a shame and a waste to have so many strong healthy Black men and women dispersed all over the world living in modern and mental slavery while foreign powers corrupt and control African leadership to the Whole continent’s detriment.

Can we attain freedom through reliable trustworthy leadership? Recent history has shown that corrupt sell-out African leaders who stand in front of worldwide media wearing suits with fine speeches by day are just as likely to be found promoting local violence. These men lamenting violence before the cameras were many times handing out machetes in the night to encourage bipartisan African on African killings. When violence is adopted as a tool to control, it cannot be stopped without changing that cultural ignorance.

A good step to understanding our lost history is confirming who we are first not to divide ourselves in tribal partiality but to gain a better perspective of what we lost in The Maffa and learn from that tragedy. DNA testing although expensive might be crucial to learn where your ancestors where taken from. If you find your blood line comes from Gambia or Nigeria then you can apply your self to the aim of going back and helping your ancestral nation. You owe that to your ancestors.

I could go on and on and I don’t want to take too much space on such an interesting question but I do agree we have to have a collective definition of what is freedom to us as the Unified Black Nation.

[Arecidea Kwilemie]

Unconditional Emancipation