“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” - The Declaration of Independence, in U.S. Congress, July 4th, 1776
That being said, Decarcerate Louisiana is a freedom-movement of like-minded people, inside and outside the prison system, taking action against oppression in all its forms, enjoining right and forbidding wrong, and to the further the cause of human welfare so that the highest ideal of mankind can be realized. How do we apply this to our current situation as individuals, families, communities, society?
1. As long as there is life and one is in full possession of his God-given senses, for me, there is the immediate recognition of a moral recognition of a moral obligation to hope, to dream, to create, to innovate, to seek improvement and betterment in my character and in the affairs in my community and society. Where I err or fail, it is my duty to not beat myself up or submit to mean definitions of character but to learn from it and go forward. If a computer, automobile, or washing-machine suffers from a defect and breaks down, our scientific mind usually kicks in and we begin to figure what went wrong and how we might salvage, reform, or repair the product. Likewise, when the individual, family, community, or society breaks down, it is incumbent upon us to revive it, restore it, redeem it, and reclaim it. Therefore, with the God-given birth-rights that we retain by virtue of our breath, we are organizing across all identity lines and to hold society accountable and ensure that it works not to oppress or degrade but to refine and uplift humankind en masse. - Ishkaten, Founding Member of Decarcerate Louisiana.
2. In a country that prides itself on the notion that “all men are created equal,” is this really the case? You don’t have to look far to resolve this is far from true. A government that is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people is only for a few. We realize that as humans we are subject to error. But should we be characterized by the sumtotal of our mistakes? GOD FORBID! We are better than our worst mistakes. Therefore, simply because one may go astray those inalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness will forever remain intact, for they are inalienable (God-given), and whatsoever God giveth, let no man taketh away. - D.C., Founding Member of Decarcerate Louisiana
3. Simply put, I believe the majority of Americans are not conscious of their inalienable human rights to go after any entity, system or organization who has capitalized wealth and materialism off the BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS of the many freedom-fighters who’d fought against any form of discrimination, racism, or oppression in general. We as a People have to UNIFY AS ONE and uproot any seed of DEMONIC FORCES aiming to deliberately cause the middle and poor class communities to clash. Poor Blacks and other so-called minority groups have suffered enough. It’s all on us to take the first step towards LEADERSHIP BUILDING, and fighting with all available resources necessary to one day soon SLAY the DRAGON which oppresses and terrorizes the men, women, elders, and children of our communities. - Malik, Founding Member of Decarcerate Louisiana
4. As an individual and collective society, we must demand the enrichment of life and if failure or decline is seen, institute what’s necessary to enhance its qualities , reaching its highest fulfillment. As an example, imprisonment simply degrades the integrity inherent in the essence of life, liberty, and happiness. Prisons today means exploitation and warehousing of the poor under the guise of public safety, enriching the right and making the poor poorer—a return to antebellum slavery. This institution is destructive to the higher goals of society and the people have a right to alter it and lay a just foundation for the security, safety and happiness of life. As an individual, it’s obligatory to teach family, teach communities, and society as to what true liberty means and how it was understood by our true forebearers who championed the cause rightfully. Liberty, in its effects, allows all to live as desired, where no harm is inflicted on another by another’s actions. To each man his own law. The contrary is defined as oppression. Where the government deny liberty, it denies inalienable rights to life and create a cause for men to alter or abolish oppressive laws which repress and deny true liberty, and by that, Happiness. - C.S., Founding Member of Decarcerate Louisiana
5. As an individual, it is my responsibility to educate first myself, and learn organizational skills that best suits my personal situation. Realize my importance in the natural order of things and put forth the best of my abilities to benefit humanity as a whole. That leads to the care, rearing, educating, support and leadership of my family and society as a whole. - D.A. Founding Member of Decarcerate Louisiana
6. In order to stand up against an unjust government that upholds prison slavery over rehabilitation, it is my duty to learn all organizational, leadership, and social skills so I will be able to teach others that human dignity and human advancement is the better way to go than the practice of torturing and dehumanizing human beings. - W.F., Founding Member of Decarcerate Louisiana
A Note To Our Families, Friends, Comrades, Allies, and Supporters on the Outside:
This blog is open for everyone to participate and share their stories, perspectives, and/or experiences of any direct or indirect attacks or intrusions upon their human rights—e.g., land, food, water, air, affordable housing, a home, living wages, travel, to articulate our own future, to choose what we want to be, a safe place to dream, to work, to live without fear or persecution for our beliefs. - Ishkaten
