Never forget, as Putin rains death and destruction on Ukraine, and Netanyahu rains death and destruction on Gaza, that Trump wants both of these genocidal assaults to triumph.
Painful as it is for us to acknowledge, we must realize, on the 249th anniversary of our birth, that the United States has become the greatest obstacle to genuine self-government everywhere in the world.
We are in the clutches of a corrupt billionaire class and its fascist allies in the Republican Party and its neoliberal enablers in the Democratic Party—an oligarchy opposed to our deepest dreams as a people.
It is often claimed that the United States was founded on slavery and genocide. But this is only part of the story. We were also founded on deep dreams—some of them worthy—of building a better country and a better world.
The Pennsylvania lawyer, James Wilson—who more than anyone else in the founding generation was responsible for the revolutionary jurisprudence underlying both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—held that slavery was repugnant to the principles of natural law and unauthorized by the common law. He told the Continental Congress, in July 1776, that we have “no right” over the Indians whether within or without the real or pretended limits of any colony.
Rather than build in the direction of more genuine self-government, however, our new nation doubled down on slavery (at least outside of the north) and, within a generation, the Supreme Court had sanctioned the genocide known as the Trail of Tears.
Still, for those within the circle of American belonging, there has been considerable and even increasing civility and opportunity until quite recently and that circle of belonging itself has had an increasing radius.
“We the People” first appeared in American—and world history—in James Wilson’s handwriting. An early draft of the Constitution had spoken of the People and the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, etc. In a later draft, Wilson put the word “We” in front and then, so our democratic intentions would be clear, drew a line through “and the States” giving us “We the People.”
It is in the nature of fascism that it seeks to act within and among the metropolitan countries with a brutality previous reserved to the colonies. In pushing back against what is novel in this brutality, we need to join in solidarity with all those who have been harmed by American brutality in the past, including in its more “polite” neoliberal forms. We need to redeem the sovereignty of “We the People” and exercise that sovereignty in ever more genuine self-government.
AS I will clarify, the US is built on misogyny , killing every Native person who was here to steal the land and as a majority of US politicians have allowed, destroy the very soil of our lives,. Further, the US is built on Black folks enslaved. Their imprisonment is what you WHITEYs have built your wealth and privilege on.. Further, you always could have done far more at every step to improve the lives of all, as described in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights and what have you done?? You have slow walked, backtracked, backlashed and now destroyed all progress. I am sick to death of you. I only have a few more years to live in this US hellhole and I am so glad. When I get on the other side, I will work every minute for human extinction. The US, in its possibilities unrealized and now demolished, Humans have proven that we are the worst DNA ever to walk the planet. The most destructive, the killing of our own Mother, the littering, the poisoning. I am sick of pussy footing around the horror of Humans... vw
Thank you for your observations Sabura. I would also stress that what John Trudell calls our “tech-‘no-logic’ civilization” is built on patriarchy and on the delusion that human beings are separate from and superior to “nature.”
Before there was “fascism” in Europe there was racial slavery and white supremacism invented by the plantation bourgeoisie as a form of social control in colonial Virginia and made constitutional in 1787.
Thank you Reverend Barber. I’ve been waiting to hear this. So many on social media are saying we can’t celebrate Independence Day today, but I refuse to surrender this day to fascists. We will continue striving toward the ideals and rights which we hold to be self-evident.
I agree this is exactly what we needed to hear today. I've often looked at the struggles of black people in this country in my own home of Jamaica and seen the fights that they have fought on their weary faces. And yet there is Joy that rises up in spite of it all. Let's keep the faith. Thank you.
Just what I needed to read today. Thank you Rev Dr. Barber <3
Me too 💯💯💯💯
And me too. 🙏🏼
Me too!
I appreciate these inspiring reflections on our past history, current events, and the necessary actions we must take to drive change.
💯💯💯💯💯💯
Giving me hope this morning when I truly need it. Thank you 🙏
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Never forget, as Putin rains death and destruction on Ukraine, and Netanyahu rains death and destruction on Gaza, that Trump wants both of these genocidal assaults to triumph.
Painful as it is for us to acknowledge, we must realize, on the 249th anniversary of our birth, that the United States has become the greatest obstacle to genuine self-government everywhere in the world.
We are in the clutches of a corrupt billionaire class and its fascist allies in the Republican Party and its neoliberal enablers in the Democratic Party—an oligarchy opposed to our deepest dreams as a people.
It is often claimed that the United States was founded on slavery and genocide. But this is only part of the story. We were also founded on deep dreams—some of them worthy—of building a better country and a better world.
The Pennsylvania lawyer, James Wilson—who more than anyone else in the founding generation was responsible for the revolutionary jurisprudence underlying both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—held that slavery was repugnant to the principles of natural law and unauthorized by the common law. He told the Continental Congress, in July 1776, that we have “no right” over the Indians whether within or without the real or pretended limits of any colony.
Rather than build in the direction of more genuine self-government, however, our new nation doubled down on slavery (at least outside of the north) and, within a generation, the Supreme Court had sanctioned the genocide known as the Trail of Tears.
Still, for those within the circle of American belonging, there has been considerable and even increasing civility and opportunity until quite recently and that circle of belonging itself has had an increasing radius.
“We the People” first appeared in American—and world history—in James Wilson’s handwriting. An early draft of the Constitution had spoken of the People and the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, etc. In a later draft, Wilson put the word “We” in front and then, so our democratic intentions would be clear, drew a line through “and the States” giving us “We the People.”
It is in the nature of fascism that it seeks to act within and among the metropolitan countries with a brutality previous reserved to the colonies. In pushing back against what is novel in this brutality, we need to join in solidarity with all those who have been harmed by American brutality in the past, including in its more “polite” neoliberal forms. We need to redeem the sovereignty of “We the People” and exercise that sovereignty in ever more genuine self-government.
https://www.schwartzbergforcongress.com
AS I will clarify, the US is built on misogyny , killing every Native person who was here to steal the land and as a majority of US politicians have allowed, destroy the very soil of our lives,. Further, the US is built on Black folks enslaved. Their imprisonment is what you WHITEYs have built your wealth and privilege on.. Further, you always could have done far more at every step to improve the lives of all, as described in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights and what have you done?? You have slow walked, backtracked, backlashed and now destroyed all progress. I am sick to death of you. I only have a few more years to live in this US hellhole and I am so glad. When I get on the other side, I will work every minute for human extinction. The US, in its possibilities unrealized and now demolished, Humans have proven that we are the worst DNA ever to walk the planet. The most destructive, the killing of our own Mother, the littering, the poisoning. I am sick of pussy footing around the horror of Humans... vw
Thank you for your observations Sabura. I would also stress that what John Trudell calls our “tech-‘no-logic’ civilization” is built on patriarchy and on the delusion that human beings are separate from and superior to “nature.”
New York was up to it's nose in slavery for a very long time. When ownership was FINALLY squelched, it was still legal to finance slavery.
"This little light of mine" will be my anthem for today. Remembering Fannie Lou Hamer is certainly what I needed to be able to celebrate.
Thank you for this reminder! Alexei Navalny's quote, "You are not allowed to give up," also applies. Thanks for your spiritual leadership.
THANK YOU REV. BARBER EXCELLENT REMINDERS THAT MIRRORS THE RIGHT NOW 2DAY TIMES ~ GOD BLESS YOU AND US ALL!
Before there was “fascism” in Europe there was racial slavery and white supremacism invented by the plantation bourgeoisie as a form of social control in colonial Virginia and made constitutional in 1787.
Thank you Reverend Barber. I’ve been waiting to hear this. So many on social media are saying we can’t celebrate Independence Day today, but I refuse to surrender this day to fascists. We will continue striving toward the ideals and rights which we hold to be self-evident.
I agree this is exactly what we needed to hear today. I've often looked at the struggles of black people in this country in my own home of Jamaica and seen the fights that they have fought on their weary faces. And yet there is Joy that rises up in spite of it all. Let's keep the faith. Thank you.
Thank you for putting today in perspective and providing some hope for the future.
Never ever give up. Not one step back.
Thank you for this reminder of who we can be
Ty, truly needed that
"Operation Clean Sweep" Thank you for your efforts to see that Amos 5:24 comes to pass in our nation.
Perfect for today, thank you for the hope this essay inspires.