by: Christine E. Villaverde, Candidate for NC Secretary of State

The 4^th of July holiday is more than just a welcome respite from work, family barbeques and fireworks. The festive holiday marks the birth of the United States of America, which conceived in violence and bloodshed, declared the original 13 colonies free from tyrannical British rule. As a powerful reminder of our journey toward freedom and unity, Independence Day should also be a time of honest appraisal about our nation’s violent past. Understanding the United States of America’s origin story is both relevant and necessary when assessing the justification for political violence. Additionally, it is important to remember that forging and maintaining a nation is rarely easy or bloodless.

The American colonies had known violent rebellion long before the Revolutionary War. The tradition of violent rebellion has characterized the American spirit throughout history. Historically, Americans have shown themselves more than willing to justify violence for a cause they hold dear. And while acts of grievance come in different forms depending on historical and political circumstances, the urge to reclaim what someone thinks should be theirs can lead to deadly violence. But must our nation’s political self-expression inevitably bring violence in its wake?  

This question has long intrigued Americans and continues to take on new urgency considering recent political violence. Thomas Jefferson famously stated:

“What country before ever exited a century & half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants.”

This quote suggests that the struggle for freedom may require sacrifice and, at times, violent resistance against oppression. Jefferson's statement implies that the preservation of liberty may necessitate conflict and sacrifice and that Patriots who defend their freedom against tyrannical rule are justified in their actions. While Jefferson’s quote has also sparked debate about its implications, arguing that it advocates for violent uprising, others believe it is a call for active participation in democracy and governance to prevent tyranny from taking root. In a political context, the claim that violence is a vital and transformative force that can bring revolutionary change is not without merit. As for the ethical argument for violence, many believe that the only way to set the scale of justice right for the oppressed and downtrodden is to resort to violence.

The right to resist tyranny and grave injustice has been documented throughout history. One of our founding fathers, John Locke, argued that if government officials exceeded their constitutional authority, the people would in principle be justified in armed revolt. Modern democratic thought has long held that citizens have a right to resist against tyrannical government and political injustices. And while some would argue that the solidarity and fraternity of collective violence is temporary and not a basis to create a new political community, others maintain that violence is a unifying force that constitutes a new national consciousness and political sovereignty.

Ultimately, Jefferson’s quote serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for liberty and the need for all Americans to remain vigilant against oppression. Jefferson’s quote also invites deeper reflection on how our society must nurture freedom as we continue the discussions about the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy and how best to limit government overreach. Restoring the adherence to our nation’s constitutional structure will be extremely difficult but necessary to ensure continuing liberty. Persuading politicians who ignore constitutional protections to secure their personal agendas will be difficult but must be done.

Historically, there were circumstances where violence was justified for political goals, and we may still be coming to terms with the pervasiveness of past political violence. However, the threat from the deterioration of our political system and nation is very real. So, this 4^th of July, remember that each new generation born into our independent nation bears the responsibility to continuously sustain their freedom and the revolutionary American spirit. Always remember that freedom favors the bold as we rejoice in our democracy. Happy Independence Day!