12/31/2022 0 Comments Freedom and the pursuit of happiness![]() Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal is just one of many examples the killing of Ahmaud Arbery is another example since three white men attacked and killed an unarmed Black man because they suspected that he had broken into white-owned property. Now it is easy to disregard the present-day impact of ideals forged in the 1600s and 1700s, but the prevalence of Americans justifying the taking of human life to protect property demonstrates that these ideals still impact our society today. America articulates that property is a requirement for freedom, and that it is acceptable to deprive other people of freedom in order to acquire property.Īmerica’s First Newspapers Were Financed by the Slave Trade ![]() With this amended language, the Americans without property-those of them who were not considered property-could feel comforted by the promise of being able to pursue property.ĭue to America’s Founding Fathers embracing Locke’s absurd ideas, the United States has professed an understanding of freedom that normalizes division and makes all of us less safe. An emphasis on property could alienate the many Americans who did not own property, so replacing it with “the pursuit of happiness” sounded more inclusive and democratic. Jefferson’s and Locke’s concept of freedom was dependent upon depriving other people of freedom, yet despite Jefferson’s embrace of Locke’s ideals, he understood that the trinity of life, liberty, and property would not inspire the American people. Locke’s words justified his immoral way of life, and unsurprisingly, he instilled Lockean ideals into the fabric of the United States. Jefferson was one of America’s most influential slaveowners and politicians, and his personal freedom and wealth derived from both the land and the hundreds of people he owned. To Locke, slavery is not slavery but a “compact” between a “lawful conqueror and a captive.” Therefore, if an oppressive relationship appears to be slavery, according to Locke, it is instead an agreement between one person or a group of people to submit and obey another person or group. Locke’s convoluted and nonsensical attempt at doing that basically consists of saying that it is impossible for a human being to knowingly agree to be a slave. In Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, his chapter “Of Property” that explains the role of property in society is directly preceded by the chapter “Of Slavery” that attempts to justify the institution White people came to the New World for the freedom that property and ownership would allegedly provide, and with the understanding that destruction of property or the denial of ownership would threaten white freedom. Locke’s dystopian interpretation of freedom also resulted in property and ownership becoming an extension of white identity. It should surprise no one that Locke’s words were embraced by colonizers who implemented genocide to take indigenous land, and ethnocide to erect American chattel slavery. In America, ownership was the precursor to freedom. Happiness never decreases by being shared.Kyle Rittenhouse’s Future Looks Hideously Brightīy attaching life and liberty to property, Locke undermined the importance of life and liberty within public and shared spaces, making them exist within the items and territory that someone owned. “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” – Groucho Marx Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. ![]() ![]() “Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.” – Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lamat “The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. These are the secrets of happiness and good health.” – Julia Child “Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success.”- Herman Cain Happiness: Good fortune pleasure contentment joy (via ) Words and pictures which represent happiness.
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