In the 21st Century the very concept of freedom has become virtually meaningless, as more and more people in this nation apparently revel in being increasingly ahistorical and deliberately and euphemistically blind. Of course the primary culprits in perpetrating and perpetuating this reality are none other than the corporate media of omission and disinformation, in conjunction with its many allies and institutions - in miseducating people in the United States and around the world.

Perhaps two of the most appropriate definitions from the American Heritage College Dictionary of the word freedom are:1) “Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression,” and 2) “Political independence.” Clearly, to be free is not merely a physical condition but also a mental one, as “oppression” is not only physical but psychological.

It is astounding, almost beyond belief how effective the condition of slavery has become in the United States, particularly as it pertains to the mentality / consciousness or lack thereof regarding many Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White peoples. Here we are, well into the 21st Century, and many in this nation have gone from being colonized mentally to having become outright systemic collaborators in their own oppression within the borders of this nation and in that of the U.S. Empire over peoples throughout the world.

Freedom is not about choosing between which mega corporation will provide one with cable, fast food, or telephone, etc. Freedom is about exercising free will that is not manipulated or ultimately controlled by corporations - inclusive of the corporate media. Freedom is about the utter and complete rejection of the U.S. Empire, no matter who is put forth as the chief spokesperson serpent of the empire.

Freedom. What a concept! It has been subverted and made into a total sham by the United States of America, and all those who serve her. Every single day more and more Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White peoples in the U.S. become the manipulated zombies of the Democratic and Republican Parties [i.e. the Republicrats].

Virtually all of us in this nation know in our very guts that nothing of any substance will really change in this nation as long as the Republicrats hold sway over the peoples of this land. But who is willing to stand up and say it?! Who is willing to say: NO MORE!

Where have these political opportunists, vultures, and sell-outs come from in 2008? How do they sleep at night? How do they justify supporting more of the same hypocritical blood night mare in the name of a so-called “change” that they know full well is a ruse? How do they dare call themselves leftists or even progressives? They must and eventually will be held accountable. There will be an accounting.

As Reverend Edward Pinkney (now in a Michigan state prison ), and so many other people’s liberation fighters [i.e. Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abul-Jamal, Jamil Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown), etc.] languish in the jails and the prisons of this nation, and/or political exile [e.g. Assata Shakur, and others] due to the ongoing subterfuge, hypocritical speech and actions of these Republicrats [these so-called Democrats and Republicans], let us remember that ours remains a struggle for freedom, not some insidious form of slavery in the name of freedom!

Know these sell outs for who they really are: collaborators and traitors! Collaborators and traitors who are in de facto opposition to building a NEW PERSON, a NEW PEOPLE’S WORLD of equality, justice, and of reconciliation. However, let us not dwell upon these snakes and bandits. Let us prepare for the tasks at hand which will ultimately expose them for what they are.

Let us remember that this struggle is for us. Perhaps we did not seek or ask for it. Nevertheless, it is here. It is our charge. Onward then sisters and brothers! Onward comrades! Freedom really is a constant struggle.

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil/political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In connection with his political organizing activities in opposition to voter suppression, etc., Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS NewsHour, formerly known as The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker , by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn]. (Click here to read excerpts from the book). Click here to contact Mr. Pinkney.