The Paradox

Independence? What it means to me? Well, it should be the same as what it means to you. The pull you felt to explore the infinite space beyond what you could see. Your senses being shocked back to life by the pulse of stars and galaxies as you soar through the onyx horizon. Your eyes finally land on a fresh piece of ground. It looks like a good place to start anew. Inhabited, by the natives. Still, nothing more than an inconvenience. Round us up, young and old. No prejudice, all receive equal treatment. Disoriented by your unfamiliar language. Dangerous, because we cannot head your commands. No threat to you, our demise is near. Who is the alien? The explorers who arrived in a distant land from another planet, or another continent? It matters, not. Remember one thing as you continue your expedition, the cost is high. Independence is not free. Lives were lost for the settlers to assert their independence. Lives will be lost as you attempt to assert yours now. Slavery to bloodguilt is inevitable in the quest for Independence. So, who truly is free? We're not so different after all, you and me. You seek freedom from those who oppress your planet. We seek freedom from those who undermine the ties that bind humanity together. Independence is subjective. In the end, we're all in this together, stand or fall.