WHAT IS THIS FREEDOM??

On Monday January 01, 2008, I attended the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia.  The Rev. Dr. H. C. Wilson is pastor and Rev. Nathaniel Veal of Allen Chapel A.M.E. church was the Keynote Speaker who delivered a powerful message on "What you can't see."  It was a wonderful turn-out and the program committee put together a magnificent program.

As I sat and marveled the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and listened to how the signing of this document by President Abraham Lincoln supposedly set the African-American Race of people free in the year of 1863…I had to ask myself what is this freedom?  Do we, the African-American Race of people think that we are truly free?  If we think we are truly-free we have been bamboozled again, and as Rev. Veal's topic "What you can't see", said to me, is that we cannot see our God given right to freedom.  Our so-called freedom is so evasive, that even when it is caught in a net, we have been too filled with fear by our former slave master's children, to reach in and claim it.  Sometimes it seems as if we believe that we are not worthy of enjoying the same freedoms as our Caucasian brothers and sisters?  So, I must ask, what is this freedom that we African-American people are seeking?  Is this freedom in the ink used to write the word "free" somewhere in the Emancipation Proclamation?  If this was true, then I say that it is not worth the ink or paper it is written on today, nor was it at the time it was signed.

I caution us that the Caucasian Race does have and enjoy the same freedom we seek.  We can prove it.  Let's take a look at what is written in the Webster's II New College Dictionary about freedom.  (1)  The state of being free of restraints; (2) Liberty of the person from slavery, oppression, or incarceration; (3) a. political independence; b. possession of civil rights; (4)  Exemption from unpleasant or onerous conditions.  (5) Free will < the freedom to do as one wishes > (6) Ease or facility in movement.  (7) Boldness or frankness < the new freedom in films and novels> (8) a. unrestricted access or use < was given the freedom of the entire military base > b. the right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship.  Now, I ask us again, who are the "Haves" or the "Have Nots" of freedom? What is the freedom we seek?  I wish we could collectively enjoy any part or better yet all of that definition of freedom without restraints. 

The only word given to us freely is, Incarceration!  It has been said that "Lady Justice" is blind, but I say "Lady Justice" has eyes when it comes to African Americans in particular and poor people, in general. 

We do however have a degree of freedom that is primarily represented by the invisible chains and shackles imposed upon African-Americans and poor people in this country.  We are shackled in our minds with the fear of the Caucasian Race and the rich and powerful.  To a degree I understand this fear because we worry if our jobs will be taken from us or that we will be singled-out and life will be made more difficult if we speak-out on the injustices we suffer on our jobs, and injustices delivered through this country's legal system.  It is this fear that holds us back from the freedoms we seek.  We must remember that "We brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out".

Here are some recent events which involved African-Americans and Caucasians with similar and/or same scenarios, but different outcomes.  Barry Bonds, supposedly used steroids; also Roger Clements; compare the negative comments made about the African-American brother to the comments made about the Caucasian brother.  Bonds' was accused, but they are allowing Clements to find a way to be excused.  Marian Jones our African-American sister was tracked and hounded until she broke down and admitted to steroid-use.  Lance Armstrong, our Caucasian brother was accused each year in the Tour d'France of possible steroid-use.  Why do you think that Mr. Armstrong was not tracked and hounded?  Consider and ask, what is this freedom?

Michael Vick was accused of dog fighting.  This act was wrong and unacceptable.  However, there are cases of Caucasian police brutality and even murder against African-Americans where the court system allows this kind of injustice to go unpunished (recent events in Americus and Sumter County and other areas in the country bare these facts out).  There are people who murder other people and don't do any time at all.  However, you can bet those people are of Caucasian descent that escapes retribution.  "Lady Justice" seems to be able to see!  It's ironic that the justice system can incarcerate people like Michael Vick for the death of dogs, and becomes blind again for crimes committed by non-African-Americans.

The truth is depressing!  Yet we need to come together and demand our true freedom that the United States of America never gave to us from January 01, 1863 until this very moment.  The most effective way to get the freedoms that were never given is to unite and vote as one.  We must demand of the politicians that we give our votes too that they stand-up for our freedom and not with the empty promises of the past.  The time is now that the freedoms that all Americans have long deserved become reality.  With our votes we can demand that the scales of justice become balanced for African-Americans and poor people.  We can demand freedom now and not have to wait until the next life to experience true freedom.  We must have the same freedoms that Caucasian-Americans enjoy!  It is not by our demands only; but by much more; the Divine Order of God!