Black Liberty Matters
Liberty is central to understanding the role of the individual in society. Individualism stresses the moral worth of every individual. Every individual is unique, yet equal, and can live their life as they see fit.
Leonard Peikoff, a close associate of Objectivist Ayn Rand, says “Collectivism holds that, in human affairs, the collective — society, the community, the nation, the proletariat, the race, etc. — is the unit of reality and the standard of value. On this view, the individual has reality only as part of the group, and value only insofar as he serves it.”
Ayn Rand also said that “Racism is the most primitive form of collectivism. The idea that a person’s intelligence and other characteristics are determined by their race is the thinking of a caveman.”
Liberty is freedom from collectivist thought. Black Live Matter is not really about police. While protesters may carry signs and sing chants listing their grievances against the state, they are really protesting collectivism. Black Lives Matter in its simplest form is a theory.
The theory is that the criminal justice system regards African Americans’ lives as less valuable. In this theory, is the concept of racism and the proposition that societal racism allows the continuation of a broken system to target and ensnare them. This theory can also be stated as the desire to be seen as an individual who’s worth is no different than the next individual.
Collectivism allows groups to be targeted and treated differently. The criminal justice system is the manifestation of collectivist thought. In our society, certain groups have historically been targeted by law enforcement.
Forms of collectivism include socialism, communism, fascism, racism, and sexism. What all of these have in common is that there is an emphasis on groups and the difference between them.
Liberty is a synonym for freedom. You can’t mention BLM and not mention the War on Drugs. We as individuals should have the freedom to do whatever we want as long as it doesn’t infringe on someone else’s freedom.
Black people have had a difficult time exercising their freedom because of inequitable laws and an inhospitable environment. Freedom is the only cure for the goals of Black Lives Matter, this is why I say, Black Liberty Matters.
