WHO IS FREE?

                                                            WHO IS FREE ?

                                               CHIBU NDUBUISI. 13/03/2017

Peace be with you.

" freedom is difficult.  We seek it for ourselves but we deny it to others when their freedom conflicts with ours'

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery" Thomas J.

" The goal Isn't more money.  The goal is living life on your terms". Chris Brogan.

Where does my freedom start and end? Freedom in the contemporary view, is the ability to do what we like. In the political view, the ability to get what we want. In the ethical sense, the ability to do what we should. Many have used the alibi of creating freedom for all to create anarchy and tyranny.

Bob Dylan asked , How many roads must a man walk down  before he is called a man? How many years can some people exist,  before they are allowed to be free? How many ears must one have,before he can hear peoples cry? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.

Have we not lived long enough in the valley of despair? Have we not lived long in the valley of tears? Have we not lived long in the valley of indifference of our common humanity?
The main freedom is the freedom to decide how to respond to what life presents. Who is free? Not one who rules over every one, but one who rules over himself.

Some people have created freedom without order, that is what you see in Thomas Hobbs state of nature as nasty and brutish, examples abound in states like Nigeria, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Mali, Yemen, Central African Republic, Sudan and other conflict zones in the world.
Those who have created order without freedom, are those civilisations that achieved greatness at the cost of turning the mass of humanity in to slaves like we had during colonialism and lately Imperialism.

Only after two devastating wars, major documents on International Human Rights,  like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965). The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(1966). The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women(1979). The African Charter on Human and People's Right(1981), Chapters two and four of the Nigerian constitution(1999). After all these promulgation and enactments of laws, are we free? Laws are made to protect people from abusing freedom, are we free from ourselves?

Take away one's freedom and you take away one's humanity. Benjamin franklin advised that ' eternal vigilance is the price of liberty'.

Nelson Mandela, knew very much that he was free. He refused the lure of vying for second term for the presidency of  South Africa when it was so  certain that he will score the highest number of votes if contested.  He was able to teach many African sit tight and power corrupt leaders that no one remains a champion forever and it is important that spaces are provided to others. Is Robert Mugabe free? No. Is Paul Biya of Cameron free? No. Is kabila free? No. Is Buhari of Nigeria free? Even with his  plagiarised 'I belong to noboby' speech? No. Was former President Jammeh of Gambia free? No. Was Rev King that turned women to sex slaves in his church Free? No. Is Donald Trump free? No.
Why are these men not free? They have not been able to rule over their ego.

Those who are free are not held hostage by lust for naked power. The are not held hostage by inordinate ambitions to the detriment of many. The are not trapped in the Rat Race. When they see injustice they fight it. When they see tyranny they refuse to bow. They dont allow the greed of the immediate to destroy the gains of the future.

The late legal giant of Nigeria, Chief Gani advised his family not to fight over his properties and allow him to rest in peace. Only men who rule over themselves take such decisions. At the grave side inscription of Martin Luther king  jnr is the  quote  " free at last free at last. Thank God Almighty,  I'm free at last".
When we are gone, can we be said to be free with the so many baggage  we carry on earth?

"You were not  born to just pay bills and die"

Rousseau posited that "man was born free but everywhere in chains". Which chains is preventing you from freedom?

Peace be with you.

Comments

  1. Unknown13 March 2017 at 22:38

    This is such a wonderful piece my man! Proud of you Chibu! Well, the topic "who is free" is a very captivating one. In all these, my personal compliance is with the teaching that "freedom is the ability to chose the good, when confronted with the option of good and evil"... I'm sure you know where that's coming from... Thanks man for the insights.
    - Na me, John Oche Adah!

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